Gray Blossoms Beanie Giveaway (closed)

 I love seeing all the cute hats that are out there for kids. It's actually hard to find a hat that fits Brooke because she has microcephaly, which means small head. She can only wear infant size hats, but those cover her face at times.  So I have learned that we are going to have to buy her custom fit hats if we want anything to fit. Leslie from Gray Blossoms made this hat especially for Brooke. Brooke LOVES her penguin hat. She put it on and took it off all night. She tried to go to sleep with it as well.

 "Brooke, make a silly face."

Want to win a cute hat for your little one? Let's learn more about the lady behind Gray Blossoms and then get on to the giveaway!

Please tell us about yourself and how you started your business.

My name is Leslie Turner. I started my business in December of 2011. I haven't been crocheting for long, but seemed to get the hang of it quickly and am having a lot of fun learning! I became a stay at home mom 10 months ago when my daughter was born. It's nice to have something that helps bring in a little bit of extra cash, and that I enjoying doing at the same time! I never saw myself as the "crafty" type, but crocheting has opened my eyes to the world of crafts!

Where can I find your products?

Right now you can find my products through my Facebook business page and on Etsy. I am hoping to get my hats into some retail shops in the future.

What do you love about Alaska?

I've only been living in Alaska for 1 1/2 years, but there will be many more years to come. I love the beautiful scenery and outdoor activities!

 I know we don't want to think about the cold. I would LOVE to give away tickets to somewhere warm, but hey, we live in Alaska. We have at least one more month of this snow left. So why not have your little one look cute!

 The giveaway will be open till Friday and it's only open to Alaskan residents. Leslie will give the winner a choice of a beanie! You can custom it how you want so start thinking about what you want it to look like!

Please leave your email address. I would hate for you to win and then I can't contact you so I'd have to pick another winner!

H2Oasis

 Did you know Anchorage has an indoor water park? H2Oasis is a pretty cool place to visit if you are itching to play in some water. We visited a couple of months ago, but haven't been back since. Not that we didn't have fun, but 3 kids under the age of 5 is hard to keep track of in a water park. But I did want to share my experience with you and hope you visit it soon with your family.

 The parking is not the best. Its actually a pain in the butt, especially in the winter months. Admission can be pretty spendy, but that's about how much you pay at outdoor water parks as well. The nice thing is they only charge $6 for the first toddler, each additional toddler is $4 and the adults are free. This charge is ONLY for Parent/Toddler Time. It didn't break the bank for us as a family of five. They don't accept credit cards so be sure you have cash or check. They do have an ATM that you can get money out of as well. 

 We went as a playdate during Parent/Toddler Time, which is Monday through Friday 11am to 2pm. This time no longer works for us because that is nap time. I wish they had 2 different times throughout the week, I bet they would get more little kids and parents. It was nice seeing lots of little kids instead of big kids running around.

 I was glad to see there was life jackets provided, definitely had some wear and tear. Brooke had only been walking for several months when we visited H2Oasis, so I was a little hair trigger with her. The life jacket put me a little more at ease. I wore Kora in the ergo which made it easier and hardier at the same time. It would have been nice to be able to sit in the water with Brooke.

 For Parent/Toddler Time, the pirate ship and the wave pool are the only things open. Kaden loved running from the ship to the pool. The ship had water cannons and slides. You could grab inflatable rings and sit in the wave pool. Kaden enjoyed jumping through the rings, not much for relaxing. He also enjoyed running under the big mushroom, which that water was cold!

 We spent a good 2 hours there and then the kiddos were exhausted! Money well spent! The part I liked the least was unchanging wet kids into dry clothes in a locker room that usually had wet floors. It was difficult due to carrying Kora in the ergo and I had to change. Then having Brooke and trying to keep her corralled in a changing area that just had a curtain. I probably should of just let modesty go out the window, wouldn't of been as stressed. We went straight home to eat lunch, but they do have an area where you can order pizza, hot dogs and the like.

 Over all, we really had a great time. It's a really great place to take the little ones. It's such good exercise especially for those with special needs. They offer swim lessons and times to exercise in the River walk. I knew some ladies when they were pregnant who would walk in the River Walk to get some exercise. I look forward to going again! and maybe one day actually get to ride the big kid rides!

So Much To Be Thankful For

 Okay, so I don't know about you, but I'm over the snow! I'm aching to go play outside in the green grass! I've been looking online to find the cheapest vacation to someplace warm with a family of 5! I keep hearing about a long break up and more snow. Say it ain't so!

 For Spring Break, all 3 of my kiddos got sick. I was hoping to have a relaxing week staying home, but was not expecting handing out medicine and cleaning snot every 3 minutes. Then add the 1 hour time difference and we are all thrown off. Now I have the weekend to start waking my kids up early again so we can get back on track. Ugh.

 I don't want to bore you guys with my rants and complaints. The purpose of this post is that I really am thankful for the state we live in. I started getting envious of seeing all the friends post pictures of blooming gardens and kids playing outside in the lower 48 on Facebook. So instead of me complaining about the snow, I started remembering all the reasons I did love Alaska and not try to find the first ticket out of this state.

 I actually know people who have never seen or touched snow! We could send it by the boat loads! Probably help us clean the streets up! That boggles my mind! Now we are only a couple of inches of beating the record for the most snowfall in Anchorage! So yes, snow is a treat.

 This year, I've already gotten to do some amazing things that many dream of. Where else can you go snowmachining on a crystal, blue day with Denali in the background? Don't forget while taking a break from snowmachining, watching a dog musher mush on by.

 Talk about mushing, a friend was telling me how he knows of someone in Switzerland who dreams of coming to Alaska to watch the start of the Iditarod. I lived that dream, twice now. I got to enjoy that dream with my whole family. We cheered on the teams as we enjoyed the company of friends. People came by snowmachine and airplane to the lakes in Willow to high five the mushers.

 I have friends who live in Japan who want to come to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Some Alaskan residents who have lived here for years, have never seen these amazing lights dance across the sky. My 5 year old got to see them from the car with me on our drive home. Later that night, I got to stand underneath the breathtaking show and watch with my husband. This was not the first time I had seen them.

  I wasn't able to participate this year, but I started making Running With the Reindeer an annual event with some other moms. My friends and family in the lower 48 think its crazy, but where else can you run with reindeer! Now the video might make you a little sick, I was running with the camera, but it will be worth your time. And no, I did not trip that lady, at least I don't think I did.

 Alaska is amazing. I gotta keep reminding myself of that, especially for the beautiful summers that are right around the corner. I'm getting cabin fever, I'll keep reminding myself of all the great events I've experienced that are on peoples bucket lists. I'll stop complaining and remember all the dreams that I've been so blessed to live. Hope you are all enjoying what Alaska has to offer and reminding yourself of the spectacular summers!

Extra, Extra Read All About It

 I'm so excited to share the news I have! Sarah, owner of Alaska Baby Rentals, and I have joined forces to bring you the first AK Mom 2 Mom sale. What is a Mom 2 Mom sale you ask?

 Think of an indoor garage sale, but bigger and better. A sale that has ONLY maternity, baby, and kid gear! No driving across town to find that a garage sale that says "baby clothing" only has a couple of stained onesies. There will be moms and dads selling their gently used kid items. You know there will be lots of items that still have tags on it! Think of those snowsuits that your little one is outgrowing and will need another for next winter.

 Don't just think clothes, think bigger! Strollers, play equipment, car seats, swings, bikes! I'm getting too excited! Where has this Mom 2 Mom sale been my whole motherhood! This would have saved my multiple trips to stores and meeting people from Craigslist!

 These sales are new to us in Alaska, but not new to the lower 48. In Michigan, where they started, they sell out of vendor spots! They have several sales happening in the surrounding areas weekly!

 This sale is a great way to bring all the gear your kids have out grown without having your own garage sale. We are bringing the people who want to buy kids gear to you! Sell your items and walk away with money! Don't forget about selling all those cute maternity tops and pants you bought online because you couldn't find them in AK. Ready to register to sell at our event?

 Didn't sell everything? No worries. The churches charity, Give N Take, will be collecting donations to give to people or other local charities in need.

 Wanna come shop? Admission is $2 for adults and children are free! There will also be several local kid friendly businesses! Bring some totes to load your goods in.

 Mark your calendars for March 10, 2012 from 10a-2p at Abbott Loop Community Church. Plenty of time to browse the tables. Get a sitter for the kids so you can shop, and guess what..... we are going to have a coffee shop open! Grab your coffee and shop around!

 Spring cleaning is right around the corner! Be sure to like us on Facebook to hear about items that will be sold, tips, or when the next event is. Please share it with your family and friends! See you at the sale!

Fact Friday

 Do you know how the design of our state flag came to be? A contest was held in 1927 for Alaskan children seventh through twelfth grade to design the flag. The winner of the contest was a seventh grade Aleut boy, named John Bell (Benny) Benson from Chignik, who was living in an orphanage in Seward.

 He describes his design: "The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska Flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly of the union. The dipper is for the Great Bear symbolizing strength." Alaska's state song echoes his description.

 There are several places in Alaska that honor his contribution. Anchorage, Kodiak and Seward named streets after him. There is Benny Benson Secondary School in Anchorage. You can visit the Benny Benson Memorial in Seward.

 Learn more about how our state flag came to be and Benny's story.

Water Fun

 Looking to entertain your kids so you can get dinner going? Give this a go. But first, you gotta let go of that control freak inside you who doesn't like messes. You know who you are.....

 Water!!! You all got this, right? I know what you are thinking. Why would a sane mother do this? Some of you might even be looking at this picture and laughing because you know it would be dumped within 3 seconds. This post isn't for you, this one is. At least if ice is dumped out, it will be easier to clean up.

  Grab a storage bin and fill with water. I did not fill it very high, don't forget you gotta dump it out. Place a towel or blanket underneath so you don't freak out when water does come out cause it will. Then, I gave them cups, bowls, clean sponges and let them go at it. Kaden grabbed some super heroes. You can also grab clean, used water bottles and poke holes in the bottom and sides. Fun to watch the water come out of the holes. You have tons of things in your house you can use, you don't have to go to the store to buy any of this stuff!

 There was a lot of pouring cup to cup. I had to remind Brooke and Kora not to drink it since all those hands have been in there, eew. It's like when they try to drink bath water, gross!! Do your kids do that? Anyways, they just sat and poured. I think it was very calming for them. At least it was calming for me. There was no yelling and fighting, just the sound of water being poured.

 When they are done, you get to take off their wet clothes because they will get wet. Then you get a cute, naked baby running around the house! This one got into my spices. Have fun playing in the water and dreaming of summer!

Alyeska Resort

 Awhile ago, my honey and I stayed the night at the Alyeska Resort for a getaway. I'm so blessed to have family in town to watch the wee ones. Girdwood is such a great little getaway, not to far, but far enough. The drive along Turnagain Arm was so beautiful.

  
 The hotel itself is really pretty, lots of cool Alaskan items to look at. The staff was amazing! They had a hard time finding our reservation, but they worked with us and were so polite. There was actually a couple of things went wrong, but they made it all happen without stress. We did not have ANY negative attitude from ANY of the staff there. Which I loved. The staff all had that mountain-laid-back attitude with professionalism.

 The last hotel room I stayed in was at the Bellagio in Vegas, which was newly remodeled so my bar was pretty high. The Aleyska Resort rooms are quaint and older. I don't really think most hotel rooms compare to the Bellagio, but I really enjoyed our room at the Alyeska Resort. It was clean and calm. And hey, I didn't have to clean it so it really was amazing!

 The hubs and I love sushi, so we wanted to try out Sakura & Sushi Bar for dinner. I have to say this was our only disappointment. Um, I would never eat there again. The service was great but the food was not up to par at all, especially for the price! Very bland. I think we will just stick to our favorite sushi spot in Anchorage, Jimmy's Sushi. Try Jimmy's, it's amazing!

 We headed to Chair 5 Restaurant for some yummy dessert. Great local place with cool Alaskan memorabila and facts. Someone gave us tickets to a show at the Sitzmark. After gorging ourselves, we went to the Sitzmark to have a couple of drinks and a good time. Locals, Alyeska staff, and out of towners were dancing to the beat of the band.  It was so nice to be able to stay out and have some fun. Of course, my idea of fun was sitting, drinking some Malibu and coke, and watching the hubs play Foosball.

 We woke up to a room service breakfast, which was very good! Packed up really quick and hit the slopes! I used to snowboard back in the day, but I wanted to try skiing again. Hadn't done it since 6th grade! Okay, so can I just say that I actually learned a lot about myself while skiing! Well, I guess it just reconfirmed what I already know. I am a CONTROL FREAK!!!! I did not want to go to fast, I didn't like people speeding by me, and I did NOT like Jason telling me how to ski. We had to separate a little bit so I could regain my composure. My husband is an amazing snowboarder, but I did not want to hear what he had to say.

 I finally relaxed and just tried to go with the flow. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery. You can see Turnagain Arm in the photo above. It was snowing and raining off and on. I never made it to the top. I just stayed on the greens that were less traveled.

 After awhile I went down to the Sitzmark to sit and relax. Loved watching the kids come down. Fearless. I'm way to fearful, sigh. CONTROL. Jason met up with me for some yummy lunch at the Sitzmark. Something about eating and drinking hot items after skiing/snowboarding is so soothing.

 We did a couple more runs before night skiing started. Of course, I started getting more comfortable with skiing towards the end. Need to start skiing more. Cross country is more my speed though.

  All in all, it was a great one night getaway. I highly recommend going and staying, even if it's just for a night. They have some great Ski and Stay packages that are affordable. Next time I'll have to go for the spa package, sounds so relaxing. Oh, there is a pool there if you can't get a babysitter for the kiddos. We were tempted to take Kaden with us, but figured we needed some one on one time. It was great to spend time with my honey.