Melificent

Welcome to America, Bluey!

Finding quality TV for Luna is hard, especially in a YouTube world. I know everyone has their own opinions on screen time and how little or how much they let their kids watch and where. It’s an even bigger topic of contention for me, being a behavior analyst, but I take a realistic approach that can be addressed on another day, at another time!

I really love for Luna to watch things with appropriate and relatable lessons, that also teach her how to be a good human. We had funnily enough stumbled on Bluey, an Australian cartoon series, on YouTube of all places (well, let me clarify, Luna stumbled on it). Luna adored it and so did we, but we noticed that it wasn’t available to watch on our Disney+ app, despite being on Disney Junior. So Luna would continue to watch short clips of the few Bluey episodes she could find on YouTube, until we found out Bluey was finally making her way to America to join the lineup over on Disney+!

We were lucky enough to be invited to Bluey’s welcome party this week at State of Kid, and it was so fun! The kids got to have plenty of 1:1 time with Bluey, do some arts and crafts, watch 2 episodes, play games and finally have an epic dance party with Bluey! It was such a fun time in a great space, and Luna is even more obsessed with Bluey than before.

Make sure to check out this adorable show that centers around a very energetic, imaginative and curious blue heeler puppy and her family available on Disney+ now!

How to Style the Perfect Disney Outfits

It comes as no surprise that I am a big Disney fan. We are annual passholders and try to take advantage of our perks as often as humanly possible. That means lots and lots of opportunities to style Disney outfits. That means lots and lots of reasons to buy Disney outfits. That means lots and lots of reasons my wallet will hate me. Which, ultimately, means lots and lots of chances to get creative!

I get a lot of compliments, both in park and on socials, about my Disney style, so I figured I would share some of my secrets with you all to show how easy it can be (for your wallet too!).

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Zimpli Kids Review

Being a behavior analyst, I am all about the sensory play! Ever since Luna was little I would have sensory days at least 3 times a week where we played with different textures and consistencies, so I was very excited to give Zimpli Kids‘ line of Slime Baffs and Gelli Baffs a try. I wanted to see how they worked in multiple settings, so I gave the Slime Baff a go in the bathtub and the Unicorn Slime Play in a plastic container for her to play with at a table. Both were a total hit with her! In the bath, she loved pretending the slime was Elsa’s ice powers, and in the container, the slime came with two unicorns that she loved to trap within the slime.

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Chicago with Kid{s}

Travel. Something we as a duo have always loved. It almost defined us for awhile, always looking for an adventure whether near or far. It personally gives me life to go to new places and have new experiences. To see how other people live. To breathe in a new culture. It was always a romantic notion that I would be able to do this with my little one in tow, and the time had finally come. We had decided to put on the training wheels and take her somewhere that wasn’t too far, that we had traveled to a few times already and that was kid friendly. We ultimately decided on Chicago.

Luna shocked us with her stellar behavior on the plane. I packed her a small backpack with some new toys and activity books (all from the Dollar Store), along with her tablet loaded with her favorite movies and some headphones. I also brought some lollipops to help with the change in pressure during take off and landing. Even with connecting flights, turbulence and no service or bathroom access, she didn’t complain once. We had prepared her a couple of weeks before with these awesome books that I found on Amazon. She knew what to expect, and I think that eased her anxiety.

We stayed at StayPineapple at The Alise, which was SUCH a lovely hotel. It was super central, in The Loop, which is very important when you have a little one in tow. They also have an amazing restaurant and bar (The Atwood), which was great after long days where we were too tired (or the weather was too bad) to look for one to visit. I think Luna loved the hotel more than the city, and would ask to go back to it all the time! She especially loved opening the huge windows and watching the busy city in the morning.

One important lesson we learned was that we cannot travel the same way we used to. It may seem obvious, but our kid is pretty good (as far as 3 year olds go anyways), and is used to our lifestyle, so we thought we could carry on in a new city. Not the case. She found some things to be the actual worst (like Navy Pier, especially when she saw all the fun amusement park rides were shut down or shopping down the Magnificent Mile), would get overtired or overstimulated, and it would result in the most psychotic of tantrums. She doesn’t tend to make these scenes in public so it led to some frustrating and embarrassing moments. Sometimes we had to walk a very long way, only to walk a very long way right back because she was not having it. We had a very loose daily itinerary and didn’t stress when we couldn’t do something or had to leave early. This is so important.

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Three.

I am having a hard time processing the fact that I am writing your THIRD birthday post here on the blog.

Even though you are only 3, your big personality is shining through. I have loved getting to know you, and am going to love every second of continuing to watch you grow and evolve into the amazing human being you are. Sometimes, when you put your face close to mine and giggle infectiously like only you can, I take a moment to take you in. REALLY take you in. And I can’t believe you are mine.

Your imagination is wild, and you love to make believe. Dressing up is your favorite and I can only address you by whomever you are dressed like at that moment or you will quickly prompt me otherwise. You hate conflict and will constantly try to make things right – even when your friends get into disagreements or are sad. You are so social and affectionate. You love to hold hands, group hugs and seeing others smile. Your smile, though, is the one that could light up the whole world.

You love fashion and prefer to wear dresses over anything else. Every day after school,  you ask to change into a different princess dress, although if Elsa is an option, you will always choose her. You dance. Constantly. When you aren’t dancing, you are performing a scene from one of your favorite movies or TV shows. You really love PJ Masks and Blippi, and could watch Frozen Fever for hours on a loop. You are easily scared by villains, but love to watch Jurassic World. Blue is your favorite and I’m pretty sure you have a crush on Chris Pratt.

You inherited your mom’s sense of adventure. You are curious and love to explore new situations and places. You prefer to be out and about, but sometimes will ask for home if you are really tired. You love spending time with our friends, and love their attention. You are at your core, a happy child: full of energy and a free spirit. You are playful, talkative and expressive. Your eyes are constantly sparkling with joy, and you have no idea how much my heart swells with unconditional love for you.

I say this often, because it is true. I have no idea how we got this lucky to have you. Sometimes I feel like you can’t even be human. You are so pure and magical and UNREAL. I don’t want anything to taint you. This you I see right now. You make me feel like a child again too, and that has been such a gift. I see the world through your eyes and it is so beautiful, even amongst all the ugly that surrounds us.

Happy third, my lion.
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All pictures by Agustin Sanchez.