when it comes to holidays, simple pleasures are comforting

This post is sponsored by Tempur-Pedic, the brand millions of owners trust to deliver their best night’s sleep every night. Enjoy our Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer now and give the gift of custom comfort to someone you love.

Although I'm always sad to say goodbye to warm weather come fall, there are few things I love about wading into cooler, and then just plain cold, temps: warm apple cider, an excuse to drink hot {caffeinated?} tea at all hours of the day, how the aroma of slow cooked chilli simmering fills up the crevices of our tiny row home, cozy sweaters, pulling out my scarf collection... the list goes on.

I don't know about you, but when I think holidays, my brain goes into overdrive and starts listing: Things to do, things to bake, things to see, things to wrap, things to buy, who to buy for, who to send Christmas cards to, what charities to donate to, things to cook, things to calendar, places to be...

Um, Uncle?

preschool shoe shopping: crocs

Thank you to Crocs for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about Crocs’ new Back to School line. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

My introduction to Crocs shoes was not, shall we say, fashion inspiring. I was watching my younger cousin's high school soccer game and one overbearing sideline middle-aged father was running around in the original Crocs Clogs (blue ones) with red socks up to his knees, screaming at the umpire. It was 43 degrees outside. It wasn't attractive. On any level.

So when my toddler came running up to me in the store with hot pink Crocs clogs earlier this summer, I had fashion nightmare flashbacks. I persuaded her to try the hot pink sandal instead. Two weeks later, green Crocs clogs with big eyes arrived in the mail as a present from her Grandma. Needless to say, they got MUCH more wear than the pink sandals this summer. And while the original Crocs clogs with socks is not a fashion statement I'd like my husband to start making, it's stinkin' cute on a toddler.

As I've started the 'preschool wardrobe shopping' adventure (the Bug starts in two weeks!), I was delighted to learn that Crocs has expanded their line to include all sorts of adorable, comfy toddler to middle-schooler friendly shoes. Therefore, a new pair of Crocs for the Bug are definitely on my shopping list. I kind of love these Dawson Slip Ons, especially for toddlers!

Here are a few reasons why I'm thinking Crocs this back-to-school shoe shopping season:

• My two year old can slide them on herself. Uber important as we have now entered the "I WILL do it MYSELF" phase of toddlerhood.
  
• They meet school rules. Closed toe and closed heel. That translates to playground friendly. Crocs has actually just launched a brand new line of school approved shoes (including 13 new styles for grades K-8!).
  
• Comfort. The Bug has never complained that her Crocs pinch, so I never have to fight her to put them on. That's a double bonus in my book.

If you check out Crocs new school-approved line, you can enter to win a San Diego Vacation (no purchase necessary!).

Here's a sweet little interactive video about the new line. Click on any shoe in the video to be taken to Crocs' website for more info about the shoe. Grab the kiddos and really get your sleuthing skills on... there's an Easter Egg in the video and a special surprise if you click on it!

toddlers, emails and thank yous (+ tips for making thank you email videos with your kids!)

Thank you to Yahoo! Mail for sponsoring this post about staying connected. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

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The Bug got her first email yesterday.

It was from Southwest Airlines. Reminding her about her upcoming trip.

When I saw the email pop up in my inbox (no, the Bug doesn't have her own email address), I couldn't help but smile. Then I called her over and said "Look! It's an email for you!"

"An email for me?" she grinned back in pure delight.

Thank you, Rapid Rewards. Not only is my toddler racking up miles for a free trip, but you made her feel like a million bucks because she "got mail."

It's a simple pleasure really. Email. Keeps us connected -- and gives us all that giddy, gooey "you've got mail" feeling. No matter how old you are, EVERYONE loves to get mail.

So teaching our kids how to correspond through email -- and laying a basic foundation for writing in general -- is important. We're starting with video email thank yous in our house. With just a little bit of coaching, your kiddo can compose a thank you note that you capture with your smart phone or computer webcam. Effortlessly.

Here are five tips for making a spectacular thank you video email -- with your toddler:

• Capture some 'real time' video of your kiddo playing with the toy, or wearing the article of clothing that they received as a gift. It's really tough to capture the enthusiasm and sheer joy of a toddler playing with a toy in words. Grandma and Grandpa will love seeing their toy being used!
• Start the video by coaching your child through a greeting. Who is the video going to? Ask them to "say hi" to Grandma and Grandpa.
• Coach your toddler to identify the object they received on video. Ask questions like "what are you playing with?" "Can you show the camera what you're playing with?"
  
• Be sure to say thank you! Ask your child to repeat after you: "Tell Grandma and Grandpa thank you for the baby doll!"
• Use inflection. Your toddler has explosive language development at this point in his or her life. Model appropriate tone and ask him or her to repeat. A flat "tell Grandma and Grandpa thank you" will get a lifeless "thank you" from your tot on camera. Eventually you want your child to write with emotion -- so start them out by composing video thank you notes with emotion.

The best part about video email thank yous is that the production or lighting doesn't have to be perfect. You just have to capture your kid. And let's face it, they're already pretty darn fabulous.

Plus you're teaching your child how important is to say thank you. That's one of those last-a-lifetime-kindergarten-skills you can get a jumpstart on.

Give it a try. I guarantee Grandma and Grandpa will love it.

Staying connected -- no matter how far apart you are -- is what email is really all about it. Which is why I love this little video from Yahoo that shows how a little boy is staying in touch with his mom, who's on a business trip.

teaching toddlers the art of connecting... through email

Thank you to Yahoo! Mail for sponsoring this post about staying connected. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

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I'm a terrible card sender.

It's not that I didn't remember your birthday or anniversary (trust me, my iPhone reminded me). It's not that I didn't search for the perfect card (I went to three stores and, much to the chagrin of my two-year-old, I perused the grocery store aisle and prolonged the shopping cart torture). I just couldn't find a card that said what I wanted to say. Or I bought the card and it was shoved into my briefcase... and found it three weeks later and thought it was too late to send.

And my toddler? She wants to wish you a bon anniversaire, too. But she can't write yet...

Which is why I love multimedia email. I can sit down in front of my computer or mobile device -- toddler in tow -- and record a brief message. Then all I need to do is attach the video to an email, hit send and in nanoseconds, you've got it in your inbox -- no matter how far away you might live.

My sister-in-law said that the video the Bug and I made for her birthday was "her most favorite thing ever." 16 seconds made her day.

Photos and video via email are the way I keep in touch with extended family members. And it's also how I'm teaching my toddler about connecting. Our newest venture? Video thank you emails. Last week I recorded a quick message with my iPhone and emailed to the Bug's great grandparents. Not only does the Bug get to thank them for her toys, they get to see her playing with them. Since they live 1000 miles away, it's a great way to correspond.

Double bonus? My toddler is learning about the art of connecting and corresponding before she can even write.

After the debacle with my wedding thank you notes, I'm LOVING video thank you emails. A very well-meaning 5 year old opened up more than 100 freshly addressed notes and colored them during our housewarming party... Which meant rewriting. ALL of them. No need to worry about crayon graffiti with video email thank yous. I'm pretty sure Emily Post would approve...

After all, the art of the letter (or email in the 21st century!) is to share what's important. Which is why I love this little video Yahoo! cooked up. Simple as that.

cube dog comes home: you'll LOVE this virtual pet app 2.0

Thank you to Cube Dog for sponsoring this review. For more information about Cube Dog please visit the Facebook page or download it on iTunes.

This is not yo momma's app.

It's app 2.0.

Cube Dog is a delightful digital toy app that will keep the kids -- and kids at heart -- entertained for hours. {{Ok, confession? I've been fooling around with this all evening erupting in giggles like a sixth grade girl... Pat, too.}}

From the Podotree, the developer:

"Cube Dog began as a project to create a digital toy that provides entertainment to people using basic shapes and simple figures. Through the concept of 'transformation,' I wanted to deliver unique and hilarious animations for everyone to enjoy. Finally, I wanted to enable users to create their own unique, individualized characters through infinite combinations of shapes and colors."

It really is an app 2.0. What does that mean? Not only does the user have the ability to create his or her own dog-like avatar, that avatar can interact with the user and his or her physical environment through their camera phone.

How? It's pretty simple. Using the interface, the user is given a series of options to create his or her own Cube Dog. Then replace the background with your camera phone input and start interacting with your Cubic friend! The dog does everything from sleep, to ninja fighting to calling you on your own iPhone.

The Bug literally squealed when Cube Dog "called" her.

For toddlers, this is not an intuitive app. Quite frankly, it's not designed for them and has a lot of robust functionality. That said, with an adult's guidance, this app will keep your tot entertained for hours. The basic shapes used to create the dog offer an authentic opportunity for you to discuss and name shapes with your little one. You can also talk your toddler through naming parts of the face and colors as you manipulate your creation. File this one in the sanity saver category next time you're on the brink of tantrum in the produce aisle.

Oh, it'll tame your toddler's meltdown too.

This FREE (yepp, free!) app is available for iPhone (3GS and 4), iPad and iPod Touch (3rd and 4th generation). Just visit the iTunes store to download!

Podotree is running a contest of cubic proportions on the Cube Dog facebook page beginning June 13th -- so you should 'like' them and keep an eye on their page.

Here's a brief tutorial, created by the fine folks at Podotree.



Anyone else feeling a strong urge to take their Cube Dog on vacation? Similar to the 'squeeze' epidemic on instagram, I foresee a Cube Dog Vacay pics in our future...

While Cube Dog provided me with the app to review, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Cube Dog, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity. Our family got a real kick out of this app - - and I'm happy to share it with you!

Why I'm investing in the dress this summer...

Thank you Old Navy for sponsoring my post today about baby and toddler styles. Old Navy is giving you 30% off everything in their baby and toddler summer collection, plus get an additional 15% off in-store.

The Bug is a 'tweener' toddler.



That means 18-24 month clothes are too small, and she literally can't keep size 2 pants on. They just fall off. Belts don't seem to help at all.



So I'm investing in one major wardrobe staple this summer:

 THE PLAY DRESS.



Affordable and cool in summer heat, the cotton play dress takes the Bug from daycare to dinner out. Throw on a pair of stretchy capri leggings and it's playground slide ready. {{She might look like a little lady, but you bet she’ll be exploring and playing just as hard as the boys}} Add a sweater and you're prepared for a breezy evening on the beach. Headed to the pool? Swimsuit cover -- well, covered.



Depending on the cut of the play dress, it can even grow with your toddler. Some make fabulous shirts as your tyke gets taller. The Tea Collection dress featured above is one such dress. The Old Navy ruffled tiered sundress would look great as a spaghetti-strap top, too!

I also love the play dress because, unlike those fabulous preppy green plaid short you picked up, dresses can take your tot right into fall. Just throw the dresses over jeans/pants and add a cardigan. Great way to stretch the life of the item -- since toddlers grow like weeds in the rain.



Pant fits are a huge problem for the Bug right now, as mentioned earlier in this post. Stretchy knit capris? Always a solid fit. Throw in a few fun tees with those dresses and capris you’re picking up and you've got a mix 'n match wardrobe that doesn't require you to take out a second mortgage.



I tend to look for pieces that are made of pima cotton or similar soft cotton for three reasons: durability, the Bug doesn't claim it 'itches' and -- most importantly -- I don't have to iron the items when they come out of the dryer. I am on an anti-iron mission. I don’t care how cute it is. If it comes out of the dyer in a ball, it’s not worth the investment.



At not yet 2, the Bug is becoming fiercely independent. Did I mention she's decided to assert that independence by dressing herself? We both erupt in smiles every time she runs out of her room to show me her 'outfit.' But it wreaks havoc on getting up and out in the morning. The 30 seconds it would take for me to do it for her now takes more like 20 minutes.



The sanity saver in this dilemma? I don't have to worry about whether or not she matches. I tend to buy sets of clothing by color families and then place them together in her drawers. The great thing about toddlers is they can mix and match as many patterns as they'd like and still look adorable walking out the front door provided the colors don't clash.

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

thinking about easter: updating family traditions

Thank you to Log Cabin for sponsoring my post about updated traditions in my household. To learn more about Log Cabin Syrups (which are all free of High Fructose Corn Syrup), breakfast for dinner, and other new ways to update traditions in your home, click here.I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.




We're looking through egg-dyed glasses in my house lately -- anticipating the arrival of the large bunny over the weekend. But, as with any time you get married and have kids, you start merging traditions.



Let's call them 'updated' traditions.

The Egg Hunt
Every year for as long as I can remember, my extended family has hosted an Easter Egg Hunt. All of us would grab a bag, line up by age and take off to see who could collect the most eggs. You practically had to have a high school diploma to be given the option of hiding the eggs (rather than finding them). And although you may have felt a bit 'old' for the tradition, you wanted to make it special for the younger cousins running about. Well, my youngest cousin is now 13 and not so interested in egg hunting. My almost-two-year-old? Ecstatic about it. So we plan to hit up some of the local, larger egg hunts (perhaps the DBFA Egg Hunt in Patterson Park or Mary Sue Bunny Bonanzoo) this year rather than wrangling my teenage cousin into a hunt eggstravaganza.

Egg Dying Au Natural
Easter just so happens to fall during Earth Week this year, so I definitely am approaching it with an eco-stance. So we're going to dye our eggs au-natural rather than the typical kit dyes this year. I love this tutorial from What's Cooking America, that suggests dying eggs with blueberries, fruit juice and the like. Apparently red wine turns eggs purple... (just saying!). It's like science, cooking and art all combined into one messy (and toddleriffic) activity!

Breakfast for Dinner (the night before!)
My whole extended family will gather for lunch on Easter Sunday, but we'll miss some of the fun Easter breakfast foods. So Pat and I have decided to have brunch for dinner the night before dinner. What's on the menu? Homemade buttermilk blueberry waffles, crustless ham, zucchini and cheese quiche, and fruit salad. (The waffles are a HIT at our house. Check out the recipe from Williams Sonoma in a prior post). Of course, we'll have 'table' syrup and maple syrup. There is just a touch of contention in our house over which is better... What are we having for breakfast on Easter day if we're eating breakfast foods the night before? I'm thinking carrot apple muffins. Something light so we can enjoy the family lunch to it's fullest potential.

Bunny Desserts
When I was seven years old, I won a 4-H speaking competition demonstrating how to make a Bunny Cake. {{Yes, that may have been an overshare. Forgive me}} You know the bunny cake I'm talking about: two round cakes created into a bunny-shaped sheet cake complete with white frosting, coconut and licorice whiskers. Cupcakes are more my speed right now, so I'm planning on making these adorable bunny cupcakes from Busy Crafting or maybe these from Bakerella. I find cupcakes are an easier-to-manage toddler activity (both decorating and eating!).

The Easter Bonnet (er, anti-Easter bonnet)
C'mon. You know you had one. I had several. Each spring, my sister and I would get a new dress and hat for Easter Sunday. But can you really put your kid in the same white straw hat and ribbon your mother bought for you? We're replacing the hat with hair accessories this year. In keeping with the floral motif that seems to symbolize Easter, I love this flowered headband from Little Skye Children's Boutique.

What are some of your Easter traditions? Would love to hear them!

five bloggers every (cool) parent should follow

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend's wish!

Five fabulous bloggers. Wow. That's tough.

There are a lot of blogs that I check in on daily for a laugh, a good read, or a good old fashioned dose of mommy-reality. But for this post, I decided to focus on the voices that impact the content you see on (cool) progeny; those bloggers whose missions, content, savoir-faire and ideologies compliment my own and therefore influence the type of content I post.

It stands to reason that if you swing by this slice of internet real estate on a daily basis, you'll love these ladies, too. Which is why I wholeheartedly encourage you to follow them!

In no particular order...

Jennifer Cooper of Classic Play: Who better to be a creative muse than a toy maker? Jen is the founder of Ellie Bellie Kids and one of the brilliant minds behind Classic Play, a blog dedicated to helping families get back to play. Her blog is a whimsical imaginative path - you'll find science experiments, outdoor activities, the most fantastic birthday party ideas... Seriously. Creative Muse. Her latest post? Make your own preposterous polymer. So. Much. Fun.

Julie Blacker of EtiKids: Julie is the Ms. Manners you actually WANT to be friends with. She's got a low-key approach to teaching basic social skills to tikes -- helping to make the world a friendlier place without paralyzing rules or inciting mommy riots. Love her friendly tone and polite reminders of civility. Don't miss the Don't Yuck My Yum post!

Liza Hawkins of (a)Musing Foodie: Liza has a foodie philosophy that oddly resembles my own: fresh, local, uncomplicated. That's not to say her dishes -- or ingredients --aren't sophisticated. She blogs about everything from frozen slow-cooker pot roast to Lime Curry Shrimp Tacos. Um, delish? Plus, she has a 1/4 cow in her freezer. Kindred spirit. (Why yes there is a 1/4 cow in my freezer. Well, it started out as 1/4 cow. 10 months later, probably more like 1/32). Which one of her posts am I salivating over right now? Um, that would be the Spaghetti and Meatballs one. Completely homemade and goes from stack of ingredients to table in under an hour.

Kim Stoegbauer of The TomKat Studio: I am a sucker for a beautiful party - - doesn't matter if it's a 2 year old's birthday party, wedding, or impromptu cocktail get-together. I love to think about every intricate detail (which drives some members of my family insane). When I was planning the Bug's first birthday party, I scoured Kim's blog. She has tons of great ideas! I realize that the level of planning that goes into each party featured on her post may not be feasible for us in the 'every day,' but a girl can dream - - right? Her recent Milk and Cookies Party post is simply gorgeous.

Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom: You all know I have a thing for classic lines with a modern twist - pint sized or other. Gabrielle's blog is both. She posts about everything from arts and crafts projects to kids' clothing. I tend to LOVE her picks! A few fav finds from this blog? Joy Folie Shoes and Do It Yourself Snow Globes. And you've gotta love a mom of six who keeps her sense of humor and style.

Which blogs do you love to spend a cup of coffee with? Would love for you to share - - I'm always looking for a great read!

Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to support a friend's wish. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

The Best Gift I've Ever Given...

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For every download of the app between now and Dec. 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) , up to $125,000.

Clever Girls Collective and SWAGG are sending a pair of movie fans to the Sundance Film Festival! Download the SWAGG app and then visit the Ultimate SWAGG Getaway Sweepstakes site to enter to win a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival. Entry deadline is January 3, 2011, 11:59pm, PST.

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In the 'me-centric' glow that can sometimes blind us (or maybe our kids) at Christmas -- you know, the sea of sentences that start with "I want" or less demanding "I would like..." -- it's always nice to be reminded of why the season is truly about giving.

It's a philosophy that is sometimes hard to remember when you're whipped up in a whirlwind of travel and obligations, holiday cocktail parties, wrapping, credit card bills you don't want to look at (because that handy little 'Christmas money saver tip' - - you know, the one that tells you to save all year would have been MUCH handier last January) and the stack of never ending cards to send. Today, SWAGG and Clever Girls Collective have asked me to share the greatest gift I've ever given.

In the wake of our first holiday gift guide that was full of wonderful toys, clothes and whatnots, my answer may disappoint. It's not bright and shiny. Although it's tangible, you can't wrap it.

The greatest gift I've ever given? Myself.

I don't mean it in a self-indulgent or self-aggrandizing kind of way. I simply mean that even though I agonize (and I do) over what to get all of the important people in my life each holiday season, I frequently forget that the best thing I can give them is an open ear, a phone call, chat over a cup of coffee or quick note/email asking about their day. Even with my own child, I sometimes have to remind myself to slow down and give her 100% of my attention, instead of diverting 25% in another direction in an attempt to multitask.

Recent events have reminded me that being present not only helps ground yourself, but also those around you. And quite honestly, that is truly a gift.

My grandfather passed away last weekend. There is probably a more eloquent way of saying it, but dressing it up seems counter-intuitive since there is nothing elegant about death or cancer. All of us were worried about my grandmother because she hadn't done anything in 59 years that didn't include him. What do you do when your honest-to-goodness better half is no longer around? While the services took place Friday and Saturday, I arranged with my husband to go up the Wednesday before and spend some one-on-one time with my grandmother.

It was just a few hours. We didn't solve the problems of the world or pontificate about our favorite authors. There was no checklist of things that needed to be accomplished. Part of the time we didn't talk at all, rather sat around the kitchen table in a comfortable silence. No smartphone. No television. No radio even. Just a quiet afternoon, some old memories, six Christmas ornaments, two cups of tea, a few tears and a bit of peace. As one of two primary caregivers for my grandfather as he battled aggressive esophageal cancer, my grandmother had almost as many war wounds as he did. Hers just weren't quite so visible.

I'm grateful that we had a chance to talk before the deluge of family arrived and everyone put on their public funeral facade. For those of you who have lost a loved one, you know exactly the face I mean. Personally, I have a terrible 'brave face.' My grandmother's is much more convincing.

Sometimes we need someone to give us a quiet space to take down our guard. Enabling that space for someone else is a gift.

In retrospect, maybe this isn't a post about the greatest gift I've ever given. Maybe it's a post about the greatest gift I've ever received.

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Learn more about the coolest new app that revolutionizes the whole shopping, gifting, and gift card-organizing experience and Download the SWAGG app to your iPhone or Droid. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.

Let's start thinking holidays... and holiday cards from Shutterfly

Halloween is like a gateway drug for the holidays. Once you're knee-deep in jack-o-lanterns, and candy corn, you're just a step a way from cookie baking, wreaths and wrapping paper.

One of my favorite things about the holidays? The cards. In my tech-driven, virtual world, there is something simply wonderful about getting snail mail. Especially the photo cards or ones where someone took the time to write a note.

I come by my card obsession honestly. It's coded in my DNA. My father religiously agonizes over the note that goes in each of the 150 specially selected cards he sends each year - - and it's not your standard, typed 'this is how wonderful our family is' letter or, conversely, the occasional diatribe on everything that went wrong during the year. It's handwritten. It's personal. Usually with a bit of humor that only those who know my Dad can understand.

Rather than getting bogged down in word choice, I nitpick over the perfect photos, color and layout. Thankfully, Shutterfly has already done the hard work for me. I just need to choose one of their gorgeous designs!

Because our friends and family come from a myriad of backgrounds and faiths, I usually elect to send a more generic holiday photo card design rather than a Christmas photo card. Last year I couldn't get my act together in timely manner and sent out a new years card -- in January. I later learned that Martha (yeah, that Martha) said new years cards were the hot new trend for 2009. Who knew my procrastination would make me trendy?

With hundreds of designs, selecting a photo card layout from Shutterfly could seem overwhelming, but I'm a girl that likes a lot of options. My favorite 2010 designs? I love the simplicity of the starlight joy christmas card (although your need a KILLER photo to pull it off). The bright and cheery colors of the spot the Snowflake card would brighten any recipient's day! The sentiment in the love and laughter new years card is definitely my favorite. It's perfect with the more modern layout, too.

How about you? Which Shutterfly designs are you loving?

Do you want 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly? Click here to go to Shutterfly for information on how you can get 50 free cards this holiday season, and make sure to select Clever 1000 as the referral source.

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Oh, The Places We Would Go...

Sponsored By


Cheerios® is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, your ultimate family vacation. As part of a paid promotion for their “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, Cheerios® is sponsoring my post today about what my ultimate family vacation would be. Read mine, Enter the Sweepstakes for a chance to actually win your own fantasy family trip or one of a bunch of other great prizes.

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It's raining. Strike that. It's POURING. And it has been for days. Icky-sixty-degrees-and-steady-downpour that makes your windows fog from the inside out and you have to fight the compulsive urge to hide out on the couch under a blanket. You start spouting a variety of excuses as to why you can't go anywhere or do anything while simultaneously creating the obscenely long and just as impossible list of things you will DEFINITELY accomplish once the weather turns in your favor.

It's perfect vacation daydreaming weather.

Imagine this: Money is no object. Time is no object. Your bags are magically packed with tres chic, weather-appropriate clothing for all. You and your family are standing in front of the arrival and departures board at the airport. Which plane are you jumping on?

It's a no brainer for me. We're headed to Italy. A la Firenze to be specific.

For a little much needed, shall we say, la dolce vita?

If you know our family, our destination wouldn't come as a surprise to you. Pat and I met while we were both studying in Italy. Seven years later the European travel itch is just begging to be scratched, and we'd love to go back. Yes, we're crazy or naive enough to bring our 15-month-old Bug along.

Now, remember this is my fantasy vacation. There are no toddler meltdowns or additional baggage fees in my dream vacation. Hopefully there aren't any in yours, either.

Perfect Italian getaway-movie-like-montage: Grabbing a cappuccino and people watching in a piazza, the Bug swirling around the sculptured water fountains or dozing in a super chic Italian stroller. Taking the train to Cinque Terre and hiking through the mountain towns (maybe just one or two towns - - the child carrier backpack might get a little heavy after that). Sharing freshly made strawberry gelato or Napoli-style pizza. (No there is no suitable substitute for either of these in the States). Watching the Bug dip her toes in the water at Pisa and catching il Palio in Sienna. Laughing with the locals and other tourists at our favorite Florentine trattoria, Il Latini. Playing tag in the vineyards and sunflower fields, a-la-Under-The-Tuscan-Sun. Meeting a former professor's mother on the street and being invited over for coffee. Of course, she falls in love with the Bug (and vice versa), making us promise that she can sit for an evening. Buying some ridiculously cute and most likely insanely overpriced Italian dress, and heading out to dinner.

Notice I didn't say who the dress was for?

Let's be honest. Everyone is probably leaving la bella Italia with some fabulous fashion finds.

Ah, daydreams.

Where would YOU go?

Don't forget to enter the “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, for a chance to win your own ultimate family vacation. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.