A Box A Month.....Citrus Lane

This post is entirely out of order by way of our documenting but because so many people have asked me about our "Box a Month" I felt it was important to get this post up!

A few months back I had been looking for a way to experience some new products without spending a fortune each month.  Conor is at the age where rotation of products and foods are important or he gets bored and disinterested.  So, I turned to my favorite tool "Google" and came across a few companies that have "wine of the month" clubs but for kids!  I did my research (like any 21st century mom does) and decided that the company Citrus Lane was the one I wanted to try.  There were others (and this is not a sponsored post) but I felt Citrus Lane fit our needs the most for the following reasons:

(1) vendors cannot pay to be placed into a monthly box - the staff at Citrus Lane review items from vendors and THEY decide what makes the cut and what doesn't!
(2) the boxes are broken down into age categories
(3) they have a history of using recycled, and organic products
(4) they also offer a small online store so if you truly like a product you can purchase it through them at a discount.

So, here's the details that you have all been waiting for - our box and it's contents!

Our box arrived today and I opened it to preview it before turning it over to its rightful owner.

Here is how the box arrived.  A beautiful packaging job (so important to me) and a welcome note as well as some coupons for the products contained within.

What it looked like after I removed the two pieces of promotional material

These were the first two products in the box.  A Skip Hop Lunch Box and a Board Book.  The Skip Hop Lunchbox is clearly labeled for ages 3 and up so I was a bit confused as to why it as in my box....(it is explained by both myself and the company below).  We have a few of these "Bear" books already and they are enjoyable for both Conor and the reader so I was happy to see one in our box.

Lunch Box and Book

 Under the above items were these three smaller items.  From Left to Right they are a bottle of Soothing Lotion (for itchy dry skin - perfect for what this cold dry weather is doing to our skin), a pouch of Ella's Organic fruit, and a sample size of Clean Well - a sanitizing spray that is great for restaurant high chairs, tables, and mall strollers - especially during cold and flu season!  What I didn't know until I opened it was that in the little green pouch containing the lotion was also a sample of their body wash/shampoo (its an all-in-one product) and coupons.

When I turned over the welcome note there was a description of each product, information about why it is in the box and a coupon code for % off further orders through the vendors.  It was here that Citrus Lane clearly spelled out why my 1 year old had received a lunch box that stated it was for ages 3 and up.  They stated that the lunch boxes were such a hit with the olders that they wanted to share them with the littles and mom's could use them for playdates and/or daycare. 

 

A great informational flier.

After reviewing all the information I repackaged the box.  Conor is one and teething and likes to put everything in his mouth so I determined that the informational flier, lotion and included samples, as well as the sanitizer would be removed before giving him the box.  So, back into the box went the lunchbox, book, and Ella's food pouch.

I placed the box on the floor and invited Conor to investigate.

Conor and his FIRST box

Asking permission to have it

Trying to figure out how to open it

I lift here right Mamma?

It's open!

Oooooooo......says Conor!

Saying "Oooooooo" some more!

Ripping the paper

Shaking it out

Reaching for the first item

I captured this as he was saying "read".  Conor loves books and I knew that he would be excited to see a book in the box.

Bringing the book to Mamma to "read"

After a brief intermission to read "Bear in the House" a few times, Conor went back to the box.

and pulled out the Ella Fruit Pouch (of the Red variety)

Nope - I'm not hungry right now so here you go Mamma!

And back to the box - Conor spies the lunch box.

After removing the plastic I gave the bag back to Conor for further investigation.

He quickly found the handle and carried it around for a few minutes.

Conor's items (the ones he opened anyways).

And a SMILE with his TOP TEETH!

Conor appeared to enjoy his box and it was fun to watch him explore each item carefully and bring them to me to explain them and show him how to use them (the ones that needed explaining that is).  The last picture is so much fun to look at for me because I asked him to say Cheese and he smiled so big and lifted his lunch box off the ground as if to say "look what I have" that the first two pictures are all blurry.  And while those had better lighting and you could see his eyes - this one shows his brand new top teeth that haven't fallen below his lips yet so they are not often visible.

Overall I would say I am happy with this box and I look forward to seeing what our next two boxes contain.  I purchased a three month subscription as each box only cost $25 and with my $10 off coupon the first box was then only $15! 

So, of course I want to share the LOVE with my friends!  If you want to try this program simply click this HERE and the link will open a new window where you will get $10 off your first box!  After you subscribe please let us know so that we can have fun waiting for you to get your first box too and you can tell us what YOU think!

xoxo
Erin and Conor

Happy Birthday Uncle Sean & YEAH Auntie Danielle

Dear Conor,

On December 8, 2012 we made a special trip down to the Cape to celebrate your Uncle's 30th birthday.  We hadn't been to the Cape since Great Grammie visited in September so this trip was LONG overdue!

You did really well on the ride down and you slept a better part of the way.  We did make two stops.  The first being in NH so that I could change your diaper and feed you as you were struggling to fall asleep and then another at Exit 5 for the same reasons (you woke up hungry and wet).  Since having you join our family the ride to the Cape has taken longer but your comfort is important because when you are comfortable we travel easier!

When we got to the Cape we drove to Grandma and Grandpa's house where you were able to play for about 30 minutes before we had to get back in the car (I know - we felt terrible about that) and off to the British Brewing Company (BBC) we went.  Uncle Sean did not know about his party so we had to hide in the back room until it was time to shout "SURPRISE".

The party was a lot of fun but after about an hour and a half you were stating to show signs that you needed some down time.  Uncle Sean had wanted everyone to go bowling after and Daddy and I knew that if you didn't have some down time bowling would not be an option for us.  So we drove back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

When we got there you ate, napped a little on Mommy, and played and played.  You had so much fun walking around Grandma's house and touching the Christmas things that she had put out.  We were home for about an hour or two when everyone else came home and asked if we were going to go bowling.  Mommy & Daddy felt that we should give it a try because, after all, it was Uncle Sean's birthday and we don't see him often!

You had a GREAT time at the bowling alley!  First you played with the bowling balls with Grandpa Tom.

 

While Mommy and Daddy took their turns lighting up the lane everyone got a chance to spend some time with you.

A sleepy Conor with Grandpa Adam

Fun Family Photo!

Auntie Cathlin

Picture Time with Mommy but you were too busy watching everyone else!

Soon it was getting late (later than we anticipated) and while you were holding yourself together very well (I was soo proud of you) Daddy and I knew that it wouldn't be long before you would be too overtired and there was still a 20 minute car ride back to Grandma's house. So, we said goodbye to Uncle Sean and the rest of the party and brought you home. You went to sleep without too much fuss that night as you were tired from your VERY busy day! The next day we had to pack up to leave. While we were getting things ready Auntie Danielle checked the mail. And guess what - she got an acceptance letter to college! You have such a smart Auntie!

Reading the letter carefully

I got into college!!!!!!

We are very proud of your Auntie and we know that whatever school she goes to will be lucky to have her! Thank you again for being such a good little traveler Conor!

xoxo
Mommy

Happy Early Birthday!

Dear Conor,

On December 6, 2012 it was time to get serious about your party planning!  You and I decided to make a trip to Target and some other surrounding stores to pick up supplies.  While in Target we strolled by the Giggle Gang Display and you became overly animated.  Because you had been so good and we had time to kill I decided to let you touch and hold all of the little stuffies that you have so much fun watching on their app on the iphone.  It was fun to see you laugh and point to each one on the shelf until I pulled it down.  Each has a different texture and you enjoyed exploring them - touching their eyes, mouths, and ribbons!  Of course, being so close to your birthday we didn't buy you one but it was a nice way to spend a few minutes of our day!

Checking out Kiwi, Sunny, and Curly

And there's Fuzzy!

When we got home a rather LARGE package was waiting for us.......your birthday present arrived early!  Because the box was so large there was no where for it to go so Daddy and I decided to open it right then and let you have your present early.

We bought you a chair from Pottery Barn Kids because you love to read and you have no where to sit and relax to do your reading. Plus, you won't be able to climb onto the furniture for years to come and we wanted you to get as much use out of this as possible. We bought the regular size to ensure that you didn't grow out of it too quickly.

Climbing up

Oh - that's my name

Climbing down

You LOVED it! At first you loved climbing in and out of it but once Daddy brought you a book you cuddled right into the chair for a story and as the night went on we found you in the chair with your beloved books!

Reading with Daddy

Hunter enjoyed the story too

There's nothing like a good book and a comfy chair!

You didn't just love the chair though Conor - oh no! Remember I said your chair came in a rather LARGE box!

Where's Conor

Thank you for my Box Mommy and Daddy!

You loved loved loved that box and we played with it for several days until Mommy just had to take it to the dump because with Christmas coming there was going to be no where to store it!

xoxo
Mommy

Peek-a-Boo

Dear Conor,

On December 1, 2012 we really saw you blossom in the way of communication.  I don't exactly mean verbal communication but through gestures you started showing us what you wanted to do and truly emulating activities. 

For example:

That morning as we were getting ready for the day (we were going to go to Christmas Prelude and meet up with some friends) you clearly didn't want to be in our bedroom and kept banging on the door.  When I opened the door you crawled down the hall to your room and took a book from the shelf and began looking through it.  So, I brought you and the book to Mommy and Daddy's room and you were content to read while I finished getting ready.

After our busy day and your long nap (Christmas Prelude wore you out!) we were playing in the living room and you spontaneously started hiding your face behind the curtain and when you showed your face you would make a vocalization and smile real big.  It took Mommy a second but I realized you were trying to initiate a game of peek-a-boo!

Getting ready to hide

 

Can't see me now!

 

Peek-a-Boo

Mommy and Daddy were so proud of you and once we started saying Peek-a-Boo when you would show your face you got all silly and it was clear that you were very happy we knew what you wanted! 

Because of this development I decided it was time to start working with you on some basic sign language to increase your ability to communicate.  We are going to start with waving, the sign for milk, and more.  These are signs your older friends seem to use often and so we will start there!

xoxo
Mommy

New Year - New Rules!

Note to myself.

I never realized how hard it would be to be a mother and a full time attorney.  I want so hard to be perfect at each one that I am struggling some days to keep my head above water.  I had this vision of my blog documenting everything for me but I simply can't keep up with it!

So, for 2013 I decided to have some reasonable resolutions.

(1) find a way to be more organized in my home and work: this is a challenge because we are not getting rid of ANY baby stuff and it takes up a lot of room in a little home.  Also, as Conor grows things need to be moved out of his reach and so things end up where they don't normally belong - my goal is to work on that through the first 1/4 of the year and that way by Spring we are ready and organized for the year (told you I was setting reasonable goals!)

(2) spend more time with family enjoying all that this great place has to offer.  That means more time outside at the beach, mountains, and anywhere our feet can take us.  Conor will only be this little for so long and I want to spend more time soaking him up!

(3) Read one book a month - this one is really important to me because minds are a terrible thing to waste and while I exercise mine daily it is not often being challenged in the ways that books can.  Nor is it allowed to daydream or wander which is so important for remaining a complete and creative person.

So there you have it - I have only three goals.  So you must wonder where does this blog fit it?  It doesn't!  That's the greatest thing about it.  I am not going to stress myself out over how many posts I can do a week and how long its going to take me to catch up.  I am 1.5 months behind and I have so much to say but with a HEAVY trial schedule its just not going to happen this month.  So I am going to write posts but they may not be posted too often as I do want to keep things in order for when I print out my blog.  So, stay tuned and I promise that once I have caught up resolution #1 comes into play and there will be a blogging system!

xoxo
Erin

Christmas Decorating

Dear Conor,

On November 30, 2012 we put up the Christmas Tree!  Mommy and Daddy decided to put a gate around the tree to protect both you and Hunter from getting hurt because you both like to climb under and over things and the space between the tree, chair, and doors is a tiny and dangerous little spot for two cuties like you guys!

You LOVE the tree and all its beautiful twinkling lights.  As soon as the tree was plugged in you went "ooooooo" and starred at it until we picked you up so you could get a closer look.

Mommy also brought out some of the Christmas decorations so that you could get used to all the holiday changes little by little.  One of those is a plush Santa and you took to him right away!  Christmas is going to be a lot of fun this year - I hope we can teach you how to say "Ho Ho Ho" in time for Christmas!

xoxo
Mommy

Twink arrives

Dear Conor,

On November 24, 2012 your special Elf who we named Twink arrived to start monitoring your behavior at the request of Santa.  We named him Twink because its a 'word' that you are able to say and it reminded us of the beautiful twinkling lights of Christmas that you and Daddy and Mommy love.

That first day we found Twink in the dinning room hanging out on the sconces that Jim made for Mommy a long time ago. Below him was a book all about the reasons he is here and a page for us to write down when the important information such as his name. 

Welcome to our home Twink!

We found you!

I am certain that Twink will have nothing bad to report to Santa and that when/if Santa checks in on your himself he will find that you are a perfect little guy.....but know that Twink is watching when you get the urge to plunge your hands into Hunter's water bowl!

xoxo
Mommy