Embracing Tubby Time - The antics make it all worth it!!

I've been thinking a lot about all them moments that make up a day. Some of them sort of suck. Some of them you go to your mental happy place and push through. If you've read my story, you sooo know I get it.

Tubby time shouldn't be one of those times. The books, and product pics talk about the soothing warm water, bubbles clinging to chubby little arms and cheeks, and sweet giggles as you gently bath your children and they ease into calmness as they prepare to go to sleep.

from my instagram feed @belleandbeanzer

...
HA!

Tubby time, in our home, has become the time the kids act like we just gave them lines of cocaine.
Screeches reaching never dreamed of ear shattering notes, flooded bathroom floors, wash cloth & toy fights with laughter and tears, non-verbal crazy talk, and lots of pretending to be giant whales.

Last night, wI had briefly stepped from the room (yes, I was hiding), and was listening to my husband and kids...

"Okay, come on, let's get our jammies on..."

"but we can't move! we're stuck! we're rocks!"
(hidden under their towels on the floor in the hallway)

"come on guys, it's jammie time..."

"we're rocks!! I'm Jonah Rock!"

and then...

"oh, Jonah Rock, huh??"

"yup." 

"hmm, so I guess I have to move this VERY heavy rock. Wow, it's so big...maybe I'll just swing it over my shoulder..."

"no!! It's not a rock!! It's ME... Jonah!!" followed by laughter from both the boys

meanwhile my daughter is still curled up on the floor giggling maniacally under her towel, waiting for her turn to be "discovered" she's still really our little peanut-girl.

guess what? it took 1 minute to pretend they were rocks and they got dressed. why not embrace it and let my kids be rocks? embracing it changed the whole event from a struggle to connection.

In other news! belle&beanzer will be at the Brooklyn BabyFest this weekend!! YAHOO!! Check out our invite on our FB Page, and our Newsletter for more details!!

xoxox

Spreading the love: instagram contest with Mommy Shorts and custom designed baby giftset giveaway from belle&beanzer!

we are SO so so so sooo excited to announce that we are partnering with Mommy Shorts in an instagram photo contest and the winner...? yup! the winner gets a custom designed baby gift set from belle&beanzer!!

see why we're so excited? when we held our embracing the moment photo contest last fall, it's was a non stop feel good event of pictures and families embracing the moment together.

Mommy Shorts main purpose of her instagram contest is "to create a community of instagramming parents. Parents that don't just show their kids looking picture perfect, but also to show the ups and downs of raising little terrors too." hey, our message is embracing the moment. but, let's be clear that not all moments are "perfect." in fact, in our estimation the ones we remember the most are rarely the ones that fit perfectly. Mommy Shorts wants us to find eachother and get inspired to take more creative pictures of our kids. connecting families, and capturing moments - WE. LOVE. THAT!

so, here's how...first, you can thoroughly enjoy Mommy Shorts blog post today, learn a little dark secret from my past and read all about the entry rules. which couldn't be easier and hilarious, as always.

to enter, upload a photo with a LOVE THEME to Instagram, using the hashtag #instashorts_love  and tagging @belleandbeanzer. also, and this is important, you must follow both @mommyshorts and @belleandbeanzer to win.

every Friday, Mommy Shorts will feature her four favorite photographs posted to the #instashorts_love hashtag. this way you will find some really inspiring mom and dad photographers to follow. we are already so inspired by the photographs that have been entered!

the winner of the prize will ultimately be selected at random, so it's not just only the best photogaphers that have a shot at winning. here's what you will get...

winner receives this gift set featured on Mommy Shorts very own, Harlow. I know, insanity cute, right? this baby gift set includes a romper ($44), a big love blanket ($63), a matching heart little lovie ($13) and the booties ($16)… and we're designing a one-of-a-kind graphic for the romper, JUST for this giveaway!

the contest is open internationally, and you can tag up to one image a day (keep reposting, or get creative and share a new pic daily). one winner will be announced on Friday, March 1st. that's it. see? easy!

Mommy Shorts has an awesome live feed of the contest post here. you can also see it via belle&beanzer posted here. our live feed hooks up with Mommy Shorts contest rules, post and feed, so there's no way to get lost :) 

annnd, as a super bonus, all Mommy Shorts readers and entrants can sign up to get 20% off now through May 1st, just click here. 

ok, there you have it. go enter and enjoy! good luck! 

xoxo