tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76867785000634501222024-03-27T16:53:26.657-07:00MINNESOTA BABYTHE REAL {AND OFTEN TERRIFYING} SIDE OF PARENTING, AS TOLD BY THREE-TIME POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SURVIVOR, MAMA SAIGH: FORMER TV REPORTER + PRODUCER, TURNED FULL-TIME MOM, WIFE, BLOGGER + CONTRIBUTOR FOR THE JASON SHOW. WE WERE MINNESOTA EXPATS LIVING IN SINGAPORE FROM 2012-2015, AND ARE NOW BACK IN MN AS A FAMILY OF FIVE {2 PARENTS + 3 KIDS}. FOLLOW THE EVERYDAY REALITY SHOW THAT IS OUR LIFE, ON INSTAGRAM (@MELISSASAIGH). IS IT WINE O'CLOCK YET?!Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.comBlogger757125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-75797787498830895862020-09-23T10:58:00.002-07:002020-09-24T12:35:39.868-07:00DIY with mama saigh: Halloween decor.<p>After the LONGEST hiatus EVER (thanks COVID), Mama Saigh is back on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/439444026222979/posts/1587409124759791/?vh=e&extid=ngoqR3tlQxB5c5ih">The Jason Show</a></b> this week with some more ideas for your Halloween decorating! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/439444026222979/posts/1587409124759791/?vh=e&extid=ngoqR3tlQxB5c5ih" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmABQp8JUGNq0jMfCKpppdojPkENntq_O4KkEgSu0VCbtILSyfh0rREytaelMuXCFIgXKKPuWaEHig6cTHfLBbOrKPiA-llQLK7hZwhlXF0DyO0AVOlB0CW39DiBqfmBH56LoafPzjzbE/s320/4D0D5C0A-7E7A-4E74-9B5B-FE7B206BC569.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Let's start with a fun and inexpensive way to decorate your mantle, front door, or other areas of your home using 3D bats that we found on Amazon...</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fp2t29pKFJeVxkIQnrzWet10BDM_Cs2DkzrRa-KDaZD02bFoDvGSZ0YkjPowQN_3fGcXy0HcFxvHfHGC6nHG2MNPSDVb52OXOSKaNH32xyOsRW5g6KC57TvpEsN7QxWX41DphWxO8Rg/s2048/IMG_2746.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1625" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fp2t29pKFJeVxkIQnrzWet10BDM_Cs2DkzrRa-KDaZD02bFoDvGSZ0YkjPowQN_3fGcXy0HcFxvHfHGC6nHG2MNPSDVb52OXOSKaNH32xyOsRW5g6KC57TvpEsN7QxWX41DphWxO8Rg/w318-h400/IMG_2746.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found these <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074FSRXPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">3D bats</a></b> on <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074FSRXPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a></b> (48 bats for approx. $8), and used<br />them to decorate our fireplace and mantle for Halloween. I filled<br />apothecary jars from <b><a href="https://www.joann.com/">JoAnn</a></b>'s with white skulls, and filled in the<br />blank spaces with crows, candle sticks, and antlers. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WFecz2gMhRsIjoK1mKuZzQdpC8XUbvzqIVCubjZK4fj79iFsyYrWWWlrcUklBNl8JxQnz-uaeVC52xj4KNOHNVXuRgzN9Y9mwI-7VsY15SQ-hUp6IslZjPvWVqouXbN8MQ5VEGblmTw/s2048/IMG_2757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WFecz2gMhRsIjoK1mKuZzQdpC8XUbvzqIVCubjZK4fj79iFsyYrWWWlrcUklBNl8JxQnz-uaeVC52xj4KNOHNVXuRgzN9Y9mwI-7VsY15SQ-hUp6IslZjPvWVqouXbN8MQ5VEGblmTw/w300-h400/IMG_2757.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also used them to decorate our front door to make it look<br />like spooky Halloween bats are flying out of our house. The<br />gorgeous <b><a href="https://www.costco.com/">mums</a></b> are from <b><a href="https://www.costco.com/">Costco</a></b>, the <b><a href="https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-14-5-in-W-x-26-in-H-Black-Fiberglass-Planter/1001134990">planters</a></b> and brown pumpkin<br />are from <a href="https://www.lowes.com/"><b>Lowes</b></a>, the <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/OhTrendyBaby">"Hey There Pumpkin" doormat</a></b> is by <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/OhTrendyBaby">Oh Trendy Baby</a></b>,<br />and I found the <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BBP1Q55/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">buffalo plaid doormat</a></b> on <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BBP1Q55/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a></b>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then there's these DIY Halloween Tombstones that we made using our neighbor's old styrofoam insulation...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv-LdQXa5MPNHjuSGYX3erSkudpP-05TxLGidFdavT5f0kqVqhskPBGDQFN1nfUWLoq9pDxBoPCLnwcRiaxjITkbLbqk9Cncfg7LVR_u7D3myx6A4aUlk4FtC86_Bb2horO04ijAWkS8/s2048/IMG_2870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1959" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv-LdQXa5MPNHjuSGYX3erSkudpP-05TxLGidFdavT5f0kqVqhskPBGDQFN1nfUWLoq9pDxBoPCLnwcRiaxjITkbLbqk9Cncfg7LVR_u7D3myx6A4aUlk4FtC86_Bb2horO04ijAWkS8/w383-h400/IMG_2870.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRauTF4tWbkgcmu0oVAU90_JzmLfbsvjrn0eP2klHgie1VV3dSpluoJN5-D2jf83ueysiLh4_fjnmULaphFlILPuDZd0zRKdWALp43zXv3qJLzVP2NDJFg2hU0P612RHxwtgI_mfXM0Bg/s2048/IMG_2877.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRauTF4tWbkgcmu0oVAU90_JzmLfbsvjrn0eP2klHgie1VV3dSpluoJN5-D2jf83ueysiLh4_fjnmULaphFlILPuDZd0zRKdWALp43zXv3qJLzVP2NDJFg2hU0P612RHxwtgI_mfXM0Bg/w400-h300/IMG_2877.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start by using a serrated-edge knife to cut your styrofoam into a<br />tombstone-looking piece. Don't worry about cutting the perfect shape<br />because you want the styrofoam to look like stone. Then, paint your<br />tombstone using a grey paint and let dry. Using a sharpie, you can title<br />your tombstone using silly, spooky and scary names!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Tq3Kod26PC5l6oke41aQ0d8WoGTnyJ9ilvjKwFpEsAaqviiIkMDqEj7RvZPfNo29hCqHOZrezIOHPxFRf_kmNXKcgSBYKxdDZpUjF2lCvp7iasUEfSBqP1P4pCpY5wQI9TypPkoVlvk/s2048/IMG_2874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1579" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Tq3Kod26PC5l6oke41aQ0d8WoGTnyJ9ilvjKwFpEsAaqviiIkMDqEj7RvZPfNo29hCqHOZrezIOHPxFRf_kmNXKcgSBYKxdDZpUjF2lCvp7iasUEfSBqP1P4pCpY5wQI9TypPkoVlvk/w309-h400/IMG_2874.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7470eD6kgnGVy8PwY-59t6nZt_KAMzPD-9hgbUwhEo58UbU6ue6JheFEuQJBto3la4gCvJGrGN5nBT7OCG9gxhChT2MM35IbsE9OciRA1E42MjLPChqRzKbfnnR5DTBWYnfptS4sqJSw/s2048/IMG_2875.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1690" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7470eD6kgnGVy8PwY-59t6nZt_KAMzPD-9hgbUwhEo58UbU6ue6JheFEuQJBto3la4gCvJGrGN5nBT7OCG9gxhChT2MM35IbsE9OciRA1E42MjLPChqRzKbfnnR5DTBWYnfptS4sqJSw/w330-h400/IMG_2875.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><p>Finally, try making velvet pumpkins at home for a fraction of the price that you'll find in stores...</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOY-cTbzFQtSZYI-c45_aCv-t5DaEQIERXDsd6hU34hx1ahx-Nz_8hOXHKGN3N2mxOkHzxR3hdn9jvMEgi0Mt9G8-uZWe45jv0ClAVc5gDEaROpcZUj9mWPK8ZWsx9p65UQDG84JsuaA/s1412/IMG_2959.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1412" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOY-cTbzFQtSZYI-c45_aCv-t5DaEQIERXDsd6hU34hx1ahx-Nz_8hOXHKGN3N2mxOkHzxR3hdn9jvMEgi0Mt9G8-uZWe45jv0ClAVc5gDEaROpcZUj9mWPK8ZWsx9p65UQDG84JsuaA/w400-h309/IMG_2959.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started seeing these velvet pumpkins at boutiques everywhere last Autumn,<br />and I'm still in love with the look. However, at $20+ a pop, these beauties can add up!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaCC-TmFs1Qh4RHQdIIjuPpcySq2kBPS-Ye30Ahh7VtQvjvHDQcGfdLVkpVPac4r3W4w6VZjPl8z2HHstCSbTZgXi1AxNBM63Prp9jr36303Jxxs9RINzSjycJAFaYSl2NX0AzRvFktM/s1600/IMG_2965.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaCC-TmFs1Qh4RHQdIIjuPpcySq2kBPS-Ye30Ahh7VtQvjvHDQcGfdLVkpVPac4r3W4w6VZjPl8z2HHstCSbTZgXi1AxNBM63Prp9jr36303Jxxs9RINzSjycJAFaYSl2NX0AzRvFktM/w300-h400/IMG_2965.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start by cutting a circle of any size in a piece of stretchy<br />velvet fabric. Don't worry about cutting the perfect circle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemMyKDAzj9sytzYzcrL8oMsEYlhsXKI44HxOm6wL95JH6LIAQTSAUJBacVrebqNyi8k1qhdzQ0lcZEUP7iwPQxhskLguMIHT7PN2Z3VO2-Y7NHFjpBzErX15ABusDsH-Lli3TJU2M0bo/s1600/IMG_2966.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemMyKDAzj9sytzYzcrL8oMsEYlhsXKI44HxOm6wL95JH6LIAQTSAUJBacVrebqNyi8k1qhdzQ0lcZEUP7iwPQxhskLguMIHT7PN2Z3VO2-Y7NHFjpBzErX15ABusDsH-Lli3TJU2M0bo/w300-h400/IMG_2966.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a heavier-duty thread and a sewing needle, do a<br />simple stitch along the outside of the velvet material.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A8gNT1l32aPUzVp94cbjAf9TluzCJV63rE-BZgmdtiHxoFL7_YpxGNgK3k-kmmoy4lFxWs3KCGz96JuhO1UdPJGyPDeat58KFnxx1y7anxklqokVqurU122tZjGB9U-TJzD8EzkqYlQ/s1600/IMG_2967.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A8gNT1l32aPUzVp94cbjAf9TluzCJV63rE-BZgmdtiHxoFL7_YpxGNgK3k-kmmoy4lFxWs3KCGz96JuhO1UdPJGyPDeat58KFnxx1y7anxklqokVqurU122tZjGB9U-TJzD8EzkqYlQ/w300-h400/IMG_2967.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leave a space big enough to fill your pumpkin up with<br />half dry rice, and then fill the rest with a Poly-Fil.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNnI8Wt9GBpkNe1LIgXZAWozannMyQ_-pAwEMnrWHWw9QEqQGcGl3zdrq2zCFDXFBl0R66JmE_KvN_i5WDn3GuLK01toeYaElmBce4Yqzy4bhVh4Hb7qbkkBVDmzEbJGXGGGaDOtGB0g/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNnI8Wt9GBpkNe1LIgXZAWozannMyQ_-pAwEMnrWHWw9QEqQGcGl3zdrq2zCFDXFBl0R66JmE_KvN_i5WDn3GuLK01toeYaElmBce4Yqzy4bhVh4Hb7qbkkBVDmzEbJGXGGGaDOtGB0g/w300-h400/IMG_2968.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eI0FF0oFqoHQC7E0bn9lTiz4_2ELIeoNq782Ih3mqoKTun9TC72QRVIg87NRZeeHMhr2ueqfEBKCnf9u8VJBLjKzWYDw5SNxpAY8Yu8Pk6-jitRGt7pl__DqWCDZbacuabN953SH5XI/s1600/IMG_2970.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eI0FF0oFqoHQC7E0bn9lTiz4_2ELIeoNq782Ih3mqoKTun9TC72QRVIg87NRZeeHMhr2ueqfEBKCnf9u8VJBLjKzWYDw5SNxpAY8Yu8Pk6-jitRGt7pl__DqWCDZbacuabN953SH5XI/w300-h400/IMG_2970.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secure and close with a needle and thread.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVjjEqYa_2E4tajXyr3cIqdlEx-MJicvvkzenHHpBu9oeQQDpeN68upvY5UN9kxA8-nMminnzPC4Jo8IDvZoHtM5VnlXaT2enwPfO9frFDjgR7oIjk_RoN3loxuYQiCT3xm-EDBpQnFk/s1600/IMG_2971.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVjjEqYa_2E4tajXyr3cIqdlEx-MJicvvkzenHHpBu9oeQQDpeN68upvY5UN9kxA8-nMminnzPC4Jo8IDvZoHtM5VnlXaT2enwPfO9frFDjgR7oIjk_RoN3loxuYQiCT3xm-EDBpQnFk/w300-h400/IMG_2971.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next, take your needle and thread all the way down<br />through the bottom of your pumpkin and back up through<br />the top a few times to make sure it's secure. Finally, super<br />glue a stem from a gourd or pumpkin on top!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZfPiZgxAVcBThsLz-UrrD-WCZAiPMKfgaGro0VRv7q2rlsYFfUHz2DoaHuF1surUmn5IfC7576R5tdLDZBeXYVhSZ8HNxpAQQOXw7281CgyN-sgbRXiqYg-YTp_shajf2jUJGp426RE/s1424/IMG_3019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1424" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZfPiZgxAVcBThsLz-UrrD-WCZAiPMKfgaGro0VRv7q2rlsYFfUHz2DoaHuF1surUmn5IfC7576R5tdLDZBeXYVhSZ8HNxpAQQOXw7281CgyN-sgbRXiqYg-YTp_shajf2jUJGp426RE/w400-h384/IMG_3019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our homemade velvet pumpkins were the perfect addition to<br />our fall table-scape last Autumn!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-64334186514582974972020-08-25T06:47:00.002-07:002020-08-25T07:47:20.177-07:00Duluth, lutsen + tofte with the kids.<p>After six months of living in the midst of a pandemic, our family was in need of a getaway... a change of scenery... anything. But doing so safely was also a top priority. We decided to pack the kids in the car, and drive up toward the North Shore for a 5-day getaway. We stayed at <b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">The Inn on Lake Superior</a></b> in <b><a href="http://minnesotababy.blogspot.com/2019/12/mea-break-in-duluth.html?m=1">Duluth</a></b> for one night, and then headed up to <b><a href="https://www.bluefinbay.com/">Bluefin Bay</a></b> in Tofte, MN for the rest of our trip. We stayed in our favorite family suite at <b><a href="http://minnesotababy.blogspot.com/2019/12/mea-break-in-duluth.html?m=1">The Inn on Lake Superior</a></b>, as it’s right in Canal Park and has an amazing view from the balcony of the room. Bluefin Bay was absolutely incredible! The views of Lake Superior from our condo were insane. Temps were very autumn-like during our stay, so we were able to sleep with the windows open and enjoy a fire in the wood-burning fireplace every night. Our kids basically had the outdoor pool and hot tub to themselves every morning and early afternoon, and there were plenty of gorgeous trails and sights to take in.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gt8B0helwvc" width="320" youtube-src-id="gt8B0helwvc"></iframe></div><p>This trip definitely solidified why Northern Minnesota is one of our favorite places on earth. Here are a few of the places we visited along the way...</p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="http://portlandmaltshoppe.com/">Portland Malt Shoppe</a> (BEST malts EVER!)</b></p><p><b><a href="https://www.lutsen.com/summer/summit-express-gondola/">Lutsen Gondola</a></b> </p><p><b><a href="https://www.duluthtrading.com/">Duluth Trading Post</a></b> (Mama Saigh got a great new leather bag from here)</p><p><b><a href="https://bettyspies.com/">Betty’s Pies</a></b></p><p><b>Peach Beach + Black Beach</b></p><p><b>Sven & Ole’se Pizza</b> (One of the best pizzas we’ve ever had - Grand Marais)</p><p><b>Grandma’s Restaurant</b> </p><p><b>Temperance River</b></p><p><br /></p>Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-7558841501040950922020-08-13T06:20:00.001-07:002020-08-13T06:20:09.799-07:00Linna’s last words as an 8-year-old.<p>I’ve recorded these videos of my kids on the evening before each of their birthdays, starting at age two. So incredible to see and hear how much they change and grow!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sEtkb2rBiiM" width="320" youtube-src-id="sEtkb2rBiiM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Linna, age 8)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gorf_sRSJnY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Gorf_sRSJnY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Linna, age 2)</div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JhRpsvz-Ut8" width="320" youtube-src-id="JhRpsvz-Ut8"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Linna, age 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BypqPIdAmSY" width="320" youtube-src-id="BypqPIdAmSY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Linna, age 6)</div></div><p></p>Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-78734152538838738092020-06-29T07:07:00.001-07:002020-06-29T07:11:34.672-07:00Baby tony is starting to talk.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our two older kids were basically little chatter boxes from a pretty young age. Baby Tony (turned 2 in March) is taking his sweet time in the talking department, but he’s starting to put more words together to form sentences. I love his cute little voice!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZygG45BbButhvL8Lixhe-dBay1ogd1DSoaeabETvDAtQ_bhFmx8zuf-VSuyygYVl5KGV_XeYq-PbJT6nFNba3hMivUh7Kde73cyxD6ulaGF53pQV4QegPv2CMd0tU5pzQ-9e6chOddyk/s1600/1C4F2DBF-9DF6-4AAB-A1A2-014563DB1A8A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1332" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZygG45BbButhvL8Lixhe-dBay1ogd1DSoaeabETvDAtQ_bhFmx8zuf-VSuyygYVl5KGV_XeYq-PbJT6nFNba3hMivUh7Kde73cyxD6ulaGF53pQV4QegPv2CMd0tU5pzQ-9e6chOddyk/s400/1C4F2DBF-9DF6-4AAB-A1A2-014563DB1A8A.jpeg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Saigh teaching Baby Tony one of his favorite things to do: Rub my feet 😆</td></tr>
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-33982780496355800282020-05-18T07:01:00.000-07:002020-05-18T07:01:06.213-07:00Candy challenge with our 2 & 4-year-old.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-3843557887065615362020-03-31T12:31:00.000-07:002020-04-01T07:01:01.994-07:00FOX 9 buzz: Keeping kids busy at home.Monday, I did my first LIVE broadcast on the <b><a href="https://www.fox9.com/video/669042">FOX 9 Buzz</a></b> from my home! This segment was originally booked a couple weeks ago when the country and our state of MN started going on lockdown during the COVID19 outbreak. So, while most (hopefully) people are working from home, schools are closed, and we are all “sheltering in place”, I gave the FOX 9 viewers some <b><a href="https://www.fox9.com/video/669042">activities that kids can do indoors and outside</a></b>, from home! Enjoy, and stay healthy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.fox9.com/video/669042"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="828" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRC2zNYYN7qHbh7iI_o_aAKdwIuur5eMKSWEFa4YKcYbKU31gS6nKGXD4z3snw-39Wk1PuCeQhvbLN5Uo978or5baWf8yIYViM29Jl7aTeeqCXlYS54aOYj9bkkbiP8z2LNpUgDy-SEs/s400/BB1DCD39-4B15-4980-A995-E14EE8FC5CE4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fox9.com/video/669042">Click on the photo above to link you to my TV segment in full.</a></td></tr>
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- Get 20% OFF your <b><a href="https://shrsl.com/26z6o">Baketivity</a></b> order, using the code MELISSA<br />
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- STEM Boxes are by <b><a href="https://www.kiwico.com/">Kiwi Co.</a></b></div>
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- Photo Books are by <b><a href="https://chatbooks.com/app/download-the-app?returnUrl=~2Fapp~2Fgroups">ChatBooks</a></b></div>
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- Follow @experintiallearningdepot on Instagram for other great ideas (this blog is my friend who is a former school teacher, turned stay-at-home mom)<br />
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Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-19360494245281073462020-02-23T08:32:00.000-08:002020-02-23T08:32:07.620-08:008-year-old linna learns the cup song.She taught herself in a day. So proud.<br />
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-5460351152953118862020-02-14T08:58:00.003-08:002020-02-14T08:58:39.028-08:00Arizona with three kids.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Earlier this month (February), Papa Saigh and I took all three kiddos (Linna 8, Jimmy 4, and Tony 1.5 years old) to Arizona. This was our first airplane-trip as a family of five, and Tony’s first time on an airplane! Flying with an almost two-year-old is so much fun (insert ALL the sarcasm). Thankfully, we were visiting Auntie Lisa (Papa Saigh’s sister), as I don’t think this would have been much of a “vacation” without the extra set of hands.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05ZDS2hIsnxGpil1cRXOb0QpbnDGzAjaxJil5zgw61V_Tow_xw7lqOk57cZFhOJedlweHH4rkGv8jV9YYebIodWkORh3-fnTKMTlKkiNkxAWVfqhhGHmLO0JRWczA8p1rZXOSD93Dt50/s1600/7CE92C75-C6DA-4A47-B012-956E3D296269.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05ZDS2hIsnxGpil1cRXOb0QpbnDGzAjaxJil5zgw61V_Tow_xw7lqOk57cZFhOJedlweHH4rkGv8jV9YYebIodWkORh3-fnTKMTlKkiNkxAWVfqhhGHmLO0JRWczA8p1rZXOSD93Dt50/s320/7CE92C75-C6DA-4A47-B012-956E3D296269.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Lisa picking us up at the airport at 10:30 p.m.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHoxWlB3POmUxQeuJQY_Q76Xjmw_9j51Wcr2NKW8mG1KvEK3cMJ0gCf-N25P_wX9Pe8Lp_ut0uzi77eE8h33NCV9uv7e9P6EFwfFTjU0hAXU5d2-QQ2BV1Hs9VEOkdP6uUd3oaS2-B0w/s1600/0EC223B0-1241-46E8-BE6F-8ED6084BEE92.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHoxWlB3POmUxQeuJQY_Q76Xjmw_9j51Wcr2NKW8mG1KvEK3cMJ0gCf-N25P_wX9Pe8Lp_ut0uzi77eE8h33NCV9uv7e9P6EFwfFTjU0hAXU5d2-QQ2BV1Hs9VEOkdP6uUd3oaS2-B0w/s320/0EC223B0-1241-46E8-BE6F-8ED6084BEE92.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <b><a href="https://shop.saferide4kids.com/products/ridesafer-travel-vest">Travel Vests</a></b> are a great car-seat alternative<br />when traveling with kiddos!</td></tr>
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We stayed at a gorgeous <a href="https://www.arizonagrandresort.com/">resort just outside Scottsdale</a>: <b><a href="https://www.arizonagrandresort.com/">The Arizona Grand</a></b>. The entire staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, and we would highly recommend this resort for families with children. The resort has six pools, plus a huge waterpark on the property. We stayed during the water park’s “off season”, which wasn’t a big deal because there was SO much that the kids wanted to do in Arizona during our three-day visit. Papa Saigh and I can’t wait to go back to this resort, so we can enjoy the beautiful golf course and spa!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabESQJj70EQYapVYiBzsE8DAGi3NpV9ju-6j_iNW9EAkck92me_vWMfxga48zhu3H2T2eSrvEIlJvXhMbwA5B7tKbCKhqVjcX0n5PTgo46BCXcWAqEkZK4meA1vQmXcGouSX2poTVWP0/s1600/31A93313-E021-4812-985D-4885A5EB92E4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabESQJj70EQYapVYiBzsE8DAGi3NpV9ju-6j_iNW9EAkck92me_vWMfxga48zhu3H2T2eSrvEIlJvXhMbwA5B7tKbCKhqVjcX0n5PTgo46BCXcWAqEkZK4meA1vQmXcGouSX2poTVWP0/s320/31A93313-E021-4812-985D-4885A5EB92E4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy (age 4) enjoying the sunshine on our balcony<br />at the Arizona Grand Resort, just outside of Scottsdale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMyCOLFgQlmyBab7Kk-yrpeTLEiU4185mryW_flgVN4wBX3rVbgh4sDvy7ufjIPSvo0MJkrg9yOwtUMyEOB65ZHBfFddLX4ky_UPatGhmvevLindGZUQM9K3S4a5RF6ECualrY__mRKM/s1600/27E424DD-2B38-40DB-9277-79712F3B8FC8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMyCOLFgQlmyBab7Kk-yrpeTLEiU4185mryW_flgVN4wBX3rVbgh4sDvy7ufjIPSvo0MJkrg9yOwtUMyEOB65ZHBfFddLX4ky_UPatGhmvevLindGZUQM9K3S4a5RF6ECualrY__mRKM/s320/27E424DD-2B38-40DB-9277-79712F3B8FC8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linna (age 8) celebrated her half-birthday in Arizona!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxHnxXj1tzFp6p1Nl7qfcDKEl7Ho1SGjZy9tq7PSa7RSmqeKrDv0fzvTUoAgnj4WdG_RmbT8b3cSIVCm3yn3fridTrcWEc4-QteTxhHlU155iYjsq_MdrPB1mZuLFqfZ2z3Yp2tIrTjI/s1600/61A2082F-187F-4234-B501-B75FCD148C33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxHnxXj1tzFp6p1Nl7qfcDKEl7Ho1SGjZy9tq7PSa7RSmqeKrDv0fzvTUoAgnj4WdG_RmbT8b3cSIVCm3yn3fridTrcWEc4-QteTxhHlU155iYjsq_MdrPB1mZuLFqfZ2z3Yp2tIrTjI/s320/61A2082F-187F-4234-B501-B75FCD148C33.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful photo opportunities all over the resort property.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwSbGj3kHifp_uJUyBqVZkpoBpYP43GRqgQb3SIWDv4_Q9hyphenhyphendSoXYH18xjm4WnVg23HDg4Rs_aJi1rQLjlwia_6JRhwk3gl-fOtxBPHKIzj8k8GUk73bbmpR0IwfyWbJjBpgSqAMSWAQ/s1600/6AC1B249-81BE-45B0-8B48-40B89513A095.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwSbGj3kHifp_uJUyBqVZkpoBpYP43GRqgQb3SIWDv4_Q9hyphenhyphendSoXYH18xjm4WnVg23HDg4Rs_aJi1rQLjlwia_6JRhwk3gl-fOtxBPHKIzj8k8GUk73bbmpR0IwfyWbJjBpgSqAMSWAQ/s320/6AC1B249-81BE-45B0-8B48-40B89513A095.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming with my girl. Not sure why I look like I’m<br />growing a fuzzy beard (yikes, LOL!).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWwhSXnXhoHo6dEgqEtdHaSyIxezM5KbFuWmGE4qbpVRTgrChSP125EbnSz1CGkQO4c55aFX1XmkMGuefT2tmfMJUIpPZZV6WTzCuhXZtKLsnCAvfL1EBYEWNK9V3uJLfpqDutcgKDj0/s1600/B866B2FF-5668-4390-94B2-2C373C336AA1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWwhSXnXhoHo6dEgqEtdHaSyIxezM5KbFuWmGE4qbpVRTgrChSP125EbnSz1CGkQO4c55aFX1XmkMGuefT2tmfMJUIpPZZV6WTzCuhXZtKLsnCAvfL1EBYEWNK9V3uJLfpqDutcgKDj0/s320/B866B2FF-5668-4390-94B2-2C373C336AA1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Saigh trying to keep up with the middle kiddo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XUhNxjOfYeDmQ4YkStYPNz4ToLfWw7eTqrQV4J6jNN7kf2l48_zdhZ0vRbhIjoEjmWbFnkSNYhOLGAZlx3Mg4Uba67qJk8VG-sVEc_e69Cd7O9d7xYDIy99gKDzkBPCqhxl0UWg_xK4/s1600/F29029A1-8C62-45DB-86AE-87A06F372CC3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XUhNxjOfYeDmQ4YkStYPNz4ToLfWw7eTqrQV4J6jNN7kf2l48_zdhZ0vRbhIjoEjmWbFnkSNYhOLGAZlx3Mg4Uba67qJk8VG-sVEc_e69Cd7O9d7xYDIy99gKDzkBPCqhxl0UWg_xK4/s320/F29029A1-8C62-45DB-86AE-87A06F372CC3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Tony and Jimmy enjoying the pool at the resort.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguTYVER7VkJ3LdImLpuJ6UAWO5edVjVCXaAcy59RapFSiBNwYzUo18BiAxsc15_U7O9SzkyyEK0-Ome9TNT6DKmgj_h-FPR7zR36X1slf_SEehMr8nbD0zSnwNaoLP7f7tMdWUJcG2Ak/s1600/D8B93E6E-BBFC-4A85-AA2E-F1788538D380.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguTYVER7VkJ3LdImLpuJ6UAWO5edVjVCXaAcy59RapFSiBNwYzUo18BiAxsc15_U7O9SzkyyEK0-Ome9TNT6DKmgj_h-FPR7zR36X1slf_SEehMr8nbD0zSnwNaoLP7f7tMdWUJcG2Ak/s320/D8B93E6E-BBFC-4A85-AA2E-F1788538D380.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With highs of 70, our kids and some other snowbirds from<br />Minnesota were the only ones in the pool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkWJh1vEmXNOFfOqfjWyZHAboeWdbYtyDjEEsMcv20KlnBMnE6ZjmqNNO_QHSVeCK4ZKcd6QYUhPCGP9NMktV3EQQQCoo11ovadYyUbtGLoeB-PZUKn7K6FMJ_pay_qPOIq6T1rxGrVI/s1600/D7BC12C5-0DA8-4C09-949F-A026F6FDCEE8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkWJh1vEmXNOFfOqfjWyZHAboeWdbYtyDjEEsMcv20KlnBMnE6ZjmqNNO_QHSVeCK4ZKcd6QYUhPCGP9NMktV3EQQQCoo11ovadYyUbtGLoeB-PZUKn7K6FMJ_pay_qPOIq6T1rxGrVI/s320/D7BC12C5-0DA8-4C09-949F-A026F6FDCEE8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always dancing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t9P2u1-CQDGtpXi1014_ls2F1oOrOFodZ4Wl8EXdnWjBJOVzQu5vzfXF83Ftb_GfrZob_884x-HbnZYSCEY5VzmZYmZSVPpygY0Ree4OK1e_Fc9v497GPhZhgSeQ5asQ5KbYAa1EJ9U/s1600/343A81A5-4ED1-4AA3-B651-E5EF63B9FD93.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t9P2u1-CQDGtpXi1014_ls2F1oOrOFodZ4Wl8EXdnWjBJOVzQu5vzfXF83Ftb_GfrZob_884x-HbnZYSCEY5VzmZYmZSVPpygY0Ree4OK1e_Fc9v497GPhZhgSeQ5asQ5KbYAa1EJ9U/s320/343A81A5-4ED1-4AA3-B651-E5EF63B9FD93.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always stretching. </td></tr>
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Linna wanted to check out the rocks and gems at <b><a href="http://fourpeaksminingco.com/">Four Peaks Mining Co</a></b>., so we spent one morning at the <b><a href="https://odyseainthedesert.com/">Arizona Boardwalk</a></b> (formerly known as <b><a href="https://www.odyseaaquarium.com/">OdySea Aquarium</a></b>). Four Peaks has a free “cave experience” for kids (very small, but super cute), where they get to put on their own mining helmet and discover rocks and gems inside a “cave” inside the shop. Linna and Jimmy loved this place, and each left with their own little bag of rocks and stones. There was music in the center of the Boardwalk, with so many things for the kids to do (aquarium, butterfly exhibit, etc.).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UrpfJRWLB2zVifUCL2m8Yp3zZj5hP3x0pcZDOjphYE4VzrKga2_Gb7MrC_Cmw1gWhKQ-V2HYW3reLSc0RzfEr8R__nDCjkqQP5pS7gLDz-ya0P1y8bYwtAglzqHmIdCx0EiexT9g-Cs/s1600/34AC85EE-0DA2-453E-AB6A-50E3D7E04B3D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UrpfJRWLB2zVifUCL2m8Yp3zZj5hP3x0pcZDOjphYE4VzrKga2_Gb7MrC_Cmw1gWhKQ-V2HYW3reLSc0RzfEr8R__nDCjkqQP5pS7gLDz-ya0P1y8bYwtAglzqHmIdCx0EiexT9g-Cs/s320/34AC85EE-0DA2-453E-AB6A-50E3D7E04B3D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys exploring the Arizona Boardwalk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26tt8JjpyUjZk_R_U1tijRiyc-vCRt4Ydk_5DSH7grbCvI8kKdmD0bnDw2mGrNv4j3zLscAgB5o4-Ue5S5wXQVZQvSs42SjEpDLQOkW4cm6uf2fdPMS5kxCv_t5NxqZZNLp3T40XsjvA/s1600/6C1861AB-BDAD-4B6A-A870-CA289B4F4BB2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26tt8JjpyUjZk_R_U1tijRiyc-vCRt4Ydk_5DSH7grbCvI8kKdmD0bnDw2mGrNv4j3zLscAgB5o4-Ue5S5wXQVZQvSs42SjEpDLQOkW4cm6uf2fdPMS5kxCv_t5NxqZZNLp3T40XsjvA/s320/6C1861AB-BDAD-4B6A-A870-CA289B4F4BB2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Peaks Mining Co.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream stop on the Boardwalk.</td></tr>
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Another highlight of our trip was a late-afternoon “hike” with all three kids at <b><a href="https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/papago-park">Papago Park</a></b>. The <b><a href="https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/papago-park">Hole-In-The-Rock</a></b> is the perfect, easy climb for kids and grown-ups of all ages. The kids couldn’t explore or climb enough, and even Baby Tony kept up with his big brother and sister. We even saw a live snake hunting for food in a hole in the ground. With temps in the 60s, this was a fantastic experience for all of us.<br />
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Let’s quickly talk about throwing all “schedules” out the window when traveling with kids. We didn’t want to be tied down to staying inside for naps, so we just let the boys fall asleep while on-the-go. Some days, a 20-minute car nap was all they got. Everyone was exhausted when it was time to go home, but we were able to squeeze so much into this trip by simply going with the flow. It’s amazing how resilient kids are when they’re on vacation. They’re like little Energizer bunnies!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiyJq1L5071cCh61Xx9Wwhm3O1a5reqATEGSEk6dF5Mz8NZ8OG82XcWoNLWiZJQCM-ET1qdb5lsiDerjsO7Sfs4KlFdan7_go224-rmXp5xoebZwyeWJFL5W6zTvUHtM69FgiI9_E8E8/s1600/2236CAD8-6894-4EC8-BD07-B40152F44134.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiyJq1L5071cCh61Xx9Wwhm3O1a5reqATEGSEk6dF5Mz8NZ8OG82XcWoNLWiZJQCM-ET1qdb5lsiDerjsO7Sfs4KlFdan7_go224-rmXp5xoebZwyeWJFL5W6zTvUHtM69FgiI9_E8E8/s320/2236CAD8-6894-4EC8-BD07-B40152F44134.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be still, my heart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car nap for the boys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiet time with Auntie Lisa.</td></tr>
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Finally, the food. The kids’ favorite spot was <b><a href="http://www.biscuitsaz.com/">Biscuits Restaurant</a></b> in Ahwatukee. Linna says the pancakes were the best she’s ever had! While we didn’t order the healthiest breakfast options, the food was absolutely delicious! Papa Saigh, Auntie Lisa and I were able to sneak away one afternoon (booked a sitter for the kids) to enjoy some cocktails and wings at<b> <a href="https://www.jtsarcadia.com/food">JTs Bar & Grill</a></b> in Phoenix. “The Works” wings are honestly the <a href="https://www.jtsarcadia.com/food">best wings</a> I have ever eaten!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy enjoying a fruit platter at Biscuits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play area at Biscuits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biscuits & Gravy</td></tr>
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*** Check out our Instagram page (@MelissaSaigh) to see videos from our trip!</div>
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-91519939722726766552020-02-01T09:12:00.000-08:002020-02-14T09:13:06.678-08:00Mommy must-have: Revlon one-step.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IGg5Gi3oGwY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IGg5Gi3oGwY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Whether you’re a new mom, busy working-mom, stay-at-home mom, or a woman on-the-go with a desire to <a href="https://www.revlonhairtools.com/us_en/pro-collection-salon-one-step-hair-dryer-and-volumizer">ditch your everyday ponytail</a>... This <b><a href="https://www.revlonhairtools.com/us_en/pro-collection-salon-one-step-hair-dryer-and-volumizer">beauty tool</a></b> is for you. Wearing my hair down is now obtainable every day with the new <b><a href="https://www.revlonhairtools.com/us_en/pro-collection-salon-one-step-hair-dryer-and-volumizer">Revlon One-Step</a></b>, as this handy-dandy <a href="https://www.revlonhairtools.com/us_en/pro-collection-salon-one-step-hair-dryer-and-volumizer">volumizer</a> and <a href="https://www.revlonhairtools.com/us_en/pro-collection-salon-one-step-hair-dryer-and-volumizer">blow drier</a> takes just minutes to give me a <b><a href="https://www.revlonhairtools.com/us_en/pro-collection-salon-one-step-hair-dryer-and-volumizer">salon blow-out look</a></b>, at home! It is seriously a game-changer.Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-28356084019341068212019-12-03T11:53:00.005-08:002019-12-03T11:56:33.643-08:00MEA break in duluth.We had the BEST time in <b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">Duluth over MEA Break</a></b> in October. My Dad was receiving the Minnesota State Fire Officer of the Year (2019) award, so we went there to watch him accept the award, and have some family fun along the way! The North Shore is one of our favorite Minnesota destinations, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect during our visit.<br />
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We stayed at <b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">The Inn on Lake Superior</a></b> (<b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">Canal Park</a></b>), which is incredibly family-friendly. They had a bonfire and s'mores every night while we were there, a <b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">HEATED rooftop pool</a></b>, and it's in a fantastic location. We booked a two-bedroom suite, so Mama and Papa Saigh could actually enjoy ourselves when the kids went to bed. Our room had a <b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">gorgeous view of Lake Superior</a></b>, with a balcony that the kids could watch the big ships come in.</div>
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We also drove up to <b><a href="https://www.northshorevisitor.com/attractions/state-parks/split-rock-lighthouse/">Split Rock Lighthouse</a></b> in Two Harbors (about an hour drive from Duluth). Papa Saigh and I have been there before, but the kids loved checking out the views and historic landmarks for the first time. Again, the weather couldn't have been more perfect, and we were able to take in all the changing colors on the trees!</div>
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If you want to book a family-getaway, our friends at The <b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">Inn on Lake Superior</a></b> have a special deal for our friends! Reserve a room <b><a href="https://theinnonlakesuperior.com/">online</a></b>, and <b>save 20% through June 18th, 2020</b>, using the code <b>MNBaby</b> (subject to availability, and not valid with any other discount, promotion, or group). Enjoy!</div>
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Check out our <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissasaigh/?hl=en">videos</a></b> of our visit to Duluth on our <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissasaigh/?hl=en">Instagram</a></b> page in our <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissasaigh/?hl=en">InstaStories</a></b> (<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissasaigh/?hl=en">@MelissaSaigh</a></b>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2hoL7qMfxS_qQ-bo0zSHE9vtuCcFfp7S_ErsjthFXKZQVzIMwLaTqp369Mc8hnf99BFWFtyJzN9uGOF3QryGoklFPV__dSRanqQP7osr-YJHOqG2AYXX-X0YsYuzx43_1A5YrDastqg/s1600/7A81E52D-B836-4FE6-8B13-149BF29BCE1B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2hoL7qMfxS_qQ-bo0zSHE9vtuCcFfp7S_ErsjthFXKZQVzIMwLaTqp369Mc8hnf99BFWFtyJzN9uGOF3QryGoklFPV__dSRanqQP7osr-YJHOqG2AYXX-X0YsYuzx43_1A5YrDastqg/s400/7A81E52D-B836-4FE6-8B13-149BF29BCE1B.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kiddos with their Bompa, who was awarded the Minnesota<br />
State Fire Officer of 2019 Award!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We met up with one of Papa Saigh's best childhood friends in Duluth,<br />
and they now have FIVE kiddos between the two of them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linna (age 8) with her Nana and Bompa.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveling is tough, LOL! Our kiddos with their Nana.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcBe1Wu5hEtQgVOkJ27kJ9PfiDjWWBGaYiyXX_yxqdA3w65kPwZU92k_IUmdUx1jQUR4ZiMQCz1Tc1FM90Q9S3tWQ4s1JA2spmtKV5rK-twDPJ1pnrKKO_2HKj-cJDw65JPRyiuJmXRo/s1600/E26D82C1-7200-4CBF-89C0-4CE9ABD43136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcBe1Wu5hEtQgVOkJ27kJ9PfiDjWWBGaYiyXX_yxqdA3w65kPwZU92k_IUmdUx1jQUR4ZiMQCz1Tc1FM90Q9S3tWQ4s1JA2spmtKV5rK-twDPJ1pnrKKO_2HKj-cJDw65JPRyiuJmXRo/s400/E26D82C1-7200-4CBF-89C0-4CE9ABD43136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our family: Linna (age 8), Jimmy (age 3.5), and Tony (age 1).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwFInnkL1L5c-8R2h8ZfSSg4AZEdw_-0Cy6URFLsBGE0t-vVrQK6RA5wxc78TFnpUts6-Ldr3bVa1NhvN-bMtlkrtmOP5uUIfjf1M37mG28WRc-CHHNrMluVuDvOA2oD5vOUbKeHRfX4/s1600/IMG_3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1510" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwFInnkL1L5c-8R2h8ZfSSg4AZEdw_-0Cy6URFLsBGE0t-vVrQK6RA5wxc78TFnpUts6-Ldr3bVa1NhvN-bMtlkrtmOP5uUIfjf1M37mG28WRc-CHHNrMluVuDvOA2oD5vOUbKeHRfX4/s400/IMG_3478.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring Canal Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpFXbw8ZTgy4sOmo_w3RkJIdzHiFMlOvWpz_OwWGg8qy0-TsvG0Lg0e84FfXEyFXmJQD14jFRuqgwHGK2abPqzrEwmPqm9C-QMU8cedXlR-kYtQzBWbL5Jl55trHEFs8LVuxa6N5CxhI/s1600/IMG_3532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpFXbw8ZTgy4sOmo_w3RkJIdzHiFMlOvWpz_OwWGg8qy0-TsvG0Lg0e84FfXEyFXmJQD14jFRuqgwHGK2abPqzrEwmPqm9C-QMU8cedXlR-kYtQzBWbL5Jl55trHEFs8LVuxa6N5CxhI/s400/IMG_3532.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://hoopsbrewing.com/">Hoops Brewing</a></b> in Duluth is a great spot in Canal Park<br />
for parents with kiddos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegsB-m8iKI1v5o5oynxz4SRXHhJzIqfj4GWdSzSutDx0zLVJlMPFp0-xyOB6SjWJxfIpAOASTUW907TYGOt7bONFtlM5avSXQ4PJ-ulV_1lYcV59FZDqKkCrXHfGs3cYCjdjtLCc92bM/s1600/IMG_3560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegsB-m8iKI1v5o5oynxz4SRXHhJzIqfj4GWdSzSutDx0zLVJlMPFp0-xyOB6SjWJxfIpAOASTUW907TYGOt7bONFtlM5avSXQ4PJ-ulV_1lYcV59FZDqKkCrXHfGs3cYCjdjtLCc92bM/s400/IMG_3560.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Saigh and her Bigs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aUAHsli1zMcc5k4sKTUxzh5elu6Ug2ELpqDmJlV9mAu6E1NyUmKbU6drW_ae7usjFtBW1ukTaadpU-BNw-ZF7T1KeLyzYZZR58fZldGcv-42H1WfM3Kr-HO5UVi6kSvEEzdRXCKy1_8/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aUAHsli1zMcc5k4sKTUxzh5elu6Ug2ELpqDmJlV9mAu6E1NyUmKbU6drW_ae7usjFtBW1ukTaadpU-BNw-ZF7T1KeLyzYZZR58fZldGcv-42H1WfM3Kr-HO5UVi6kSvEEzdRXCKy1_8/s400/IMG_3568.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy, along the shoreline of Lake Superior.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2W08uVQug-Gd99vUVPnabFYKSoCxhFjUA9XbBgVWgGbPF0o-wQjheM2tbB4fCRRZQJmWXnwCz0rPPvm0hHx8W-JVc2PBtr65vhEMidmQ9zhly2lQy4RMa1dJRqSaIsP7J985kv-R-30/s1600/IMG_3571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2W08uVQug-Gd99vUVPnabFYKSoCxhFjUA9XbBgVWgGbPF0o-wQjheM2tbB4fCRRZQJmWXnwCz0rPPvm0hHx8W-JVc2PBtr65vhEMidmQ9zhly2lQy4RMa1dJRqSaIsP7J985kv-R-30/s400/IMG_3571.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b69uslrkVi8PXdm7NvaT2L21yMG0766g2aeqxCUjIlZmM3fRGJfWb5dI4Lc6WHBVvsqarvxgjDjjgkm5YL7qaf3bHBGilAokTbmHYqIeEQ2OSc28v83u_nvjuNqFJULOpzzpcaklOhU/s1600/IMG_3575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b69uslrkVi8PXdm7NvaT2L21yMG0766g2aeqxCUjIlZmM3fRGJfWb5dI4Lc6WHBVvsqarvxgjDjjgkm5YL7qaf3bHBGilAokTbmHYqIeEQ2OSc28v83u_nvjuNqFJULOpzzpcaklOhU/s400/IMG_3575.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Tony, loving all the rocks on the shore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQAwhgPA8bJeRetKtEBeMaBip2WAG2tz6LBYOa0p9-OWGQHbcnNc_mIeCT2wrWqqTDB3fX_XjK0NFbOjQC8DAYhK42PVJEj_AsfyPNC7J0sFtYH-i84eVjk1CvsllbPKtk-TU6Szv9Z8/s1600/IMG_3581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQAwhgPA8bJeRetKtEBeMaBip2WAG2tz6LBYOa0p9-OWGQHbcnNc_mIeCT2wrWqqTDB3fX_XjK0NFbOjQC8DAYhK42PVJEj_AsfyPNC7J0sFtYH-i84eVjk1CvsllbPKtk-TU6Szv9Z8/s400/IMG_3581.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brave boy! Papa Saigh was down there with him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vHpOf1sf66z91MkJeqe1untYnrdQgIU4GGZAZYue9CudtaUEZRqn3waf1GT-8tC2s8bnlTTRnIAaWHANHXeHLqyLsrXO2OP7J0VYQRFFUXWDPctMnFEqOj2ioIB217ryE8-AyKxRwBM/s1600/IMG_3589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vHpOf1sf66z91MkJeqe1untYnrdQgIU4GGZAZYue9CudtaUEZRqn3waf1GT-8tC2s8bnlTTRnIAaWHANHXeHLqyLsrXO2OP7J0VYQRFFUXWDPctMnFEqOj2ioIB217ryE8-AyKxRwBM/s400/IMG_3589.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Saigh and his kiddos.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWLl_bcZKOlArVZmcZ9a-1qnbGsHW_HmECp6hMt0ScEt-6kkODd7U-x1QYTaS5w6b9teyuZTcHHWocHVAJL2AKKV9ZRBw9oFUynn0pb4M6-Ki4F3erzoTAV6aDh3GVSEhbsC5gTwtJFg/s1600/IMG_3606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWLl_bcZKOlArVZmcZ9a-1qnbGsHW_HmECp6hMt0ScEt-6kkODd7U-x1QYTaS5w6b9teyuZTcHHWocHVAJL2AKKV9ZRBw9oFUynn0pb4M6-Ki4F3erzoTAV6aDh3GVSEhbsC5gTwtJFg/s400/IMG_3606.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeWMXc3YZ0FveGcCE8DpEPdL3E9LN2oDiWK6DMN1TbKjm9RNpjWhLhrAJnOcWBpnGgquNUoPJfuxRiogPN4G3Csmj5Nw6qMHEFAliQrZPlNU-MwCzLonRXVGwglXY5s4GdC7UT9MfkfE/s1600/IMG_3616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1012" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeWMXc3YZ0FveGcCE8DpEPdL3E9LN2oDiWK6DMN1TbKjm9RNpjWhLhrAJnOcWBpnGgquNUoPJfuxRiogPN4G3Csmj5Nw6qMHEFAliQrZPlNU-MwCzLonRXVGwglXY5s4GdC7UT9MfkfE/s400/IMG_3616.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Split Rock Lighthouse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtSmb30jZO8tlFoMZW9cMjEIrt9TqA8xag2-u886TintBALgNmTXoW_RW3SuYNDqsOQ0-rzPyDt73pBIU5aXz95a_Ee5xkyftDaZrm0cpkYSHhR6xbqAzIO59jIBDW4ztEue-lz_jF7c/s1600/IMG_3619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtSmb30jZO8tlFoMZW9cMjEIrt9TqA8xag2-u886TintBALgNmTXoW_RW3SuYNDqsOQ0-rzPyDt73pBIU5aXz95a_Ee5xkyftDaZrm0cpkYSHhR6xbqAzIO59jIBDW4ztEue-lz_jF7c/s400/IMG_3619.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y1IFeBnP9-RLsPEvpTu_wu7Ol92CbfbwbhOGH5iOwaPBdjGJW4400SxczhzmJZ93tCT0UT4_v-aIAHfcrrhjdD3xCEPZcNX5AmAoAAAVLLA4U4U3jScpuDdiy43sHjlmx1IQ8qE9jww/s1600/IMG_3642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="959" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y1IFeBnP9-RLsPEvpTu_wu7Ol92CbfbwbhOGH5iOwaPBdjGJW4400SxczhzmJZ93tCT0UT4_v-aIAHfcrrhjdD3xCEPZcNX5AmAoAAAVLLA4U4U3jScpuDdiy43sHjlmx1IQ8qE9jww/s400/IMG_3642.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obsessed with the subway tile and black staircase.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX56GMaHyVwyUesGj7_b3Tqgwo9Z6PgH2g5fFrJ4kuUTOtOjErBArWA_Vhda7KGNqbUEy-OzGZwhPGycQwIsunfXBd68fHiLJMTejWKiMvXRdqf3OhqJf7rp5SPFMozbnw0l2Rr_6P5xw/s1600/IMG_3655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX56GMaHyVwyUesGj7_b3Tqgwo9Z6PgH2g5fFrJ4kuUTOtOjErBArWA_Vhda7KGNqbUEy-OzGZwhPGycQwIsunfXBd68fHiLJMTejWKiMvXRdqf3OhqJf7rp5SPFMozbnw0l2Rr_6P5xw/s400/IMG_3655.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Tony's first trip to the North Shore.</td></tr>
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Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-2427569214251708122019-11-13T19:19:00.001-08:002019-11-13T19:19:24.978-08:00Jimmy’s final thoughts as a 3-year-old.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GD-OvcvDI0I/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GD-OvcvDI0I?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jimmy’s final thoughts as a 3-year-old.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/upBvXivr5dY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/upBvXivr5dY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jimmy’s final thoughts as a 2-year-old.</div>
<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-90167696927518759572019-10-15T07:31:00.000-07:002019-10-15T07:31:30.398-07:00Aldi haul.Wow. I’m almost ashamed of myself for never heeding to the advice from countless friends, to start shopping at <b><a href="https://www.aldi.us/">Aldi</a></b>. My in-laws are avid Aldi shoppers, my friend’s son works for Aldi, and a group of Moms in my neighborhood have told me over and over, “The only way you can really<b><a href="https://www.aldi.us/"> save money</a></b> on groceries is by shopping at Aldi”. So, why did it take me so long to discover this incredible, money-saving gem of a <b><a href="https://www.aldi.us/">grocery store</a></b>, first-hand?!<br />
<br />
Good question.<br />
<br />
But now that I’ve shopped at Aldi, there’s no turning back. A brand new Aldi recently opened in Chaska, and this Minnesota Mom is now a frequent shopper. It’s clean, organized, and the selection of low-price, organic, minimal-ingredient, fresh and packaged foods is pretty impressive. When Aldi’s produce goes on sale, their prices are unbeatable. The amount of groceries I can fill my cart with for under $200 is seriously shocking. Check out our first Aldi Haul, ever...<br />
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Fresh fruits and veggies, meats, fish, snacks, dairy, packages, baby products... The list goes on and on! Some of our favorites include Aldi’s gluten-free pretzels (we aren’t a gluten-free family, but some gluten-free items just taste better), puréed baby-food pouches, deli pizzas, frozen veggie-stuffed chicken, salmon (Papa Saigh’s favorite), and coconut and almond milk prices (we have one kiddo with a dairy allergy/sensitivity). Seriously, if you’re someone with a gluten and/or dairy allergy/sensitivity, or you’re someone who prefers to buy all things organic, Aldi should be on your next shopping list. This is NOT an ad. We aren’t partnered with Aldi. It’s just THAT good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4hWpjCoh8735U-2O5UcuUtRodPb7ehnARdK_mGy6e7EfP5t8NbGy8hT6kQXXndca_YD_mXbjgGTXxGwj5G2NhMFHPw285XUlbIclu0M3_VR-OdGfigeM0K_1mqp4c19pY8u6liMI-7I/s1600/9F50E565-A3A5-4BCE-A8F6-E3BF0AA10CDB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4hWpjCoh8735U-2O5UcuUtRodPb7ehnARdK_mGy6e7EfP5t8NbGy8hT6kQXXndca_YD_mXbjgGTXxGwj5G2NhMFHPw285XUlbIclu0M3_VR-OdGfigeM0K_1mqp4c19pY8u6liMI-7I/s400/9F50E565-A3A5-4BCE-A8F6-E3BF0AA10CDB.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BEST Aldi find of all time;)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_w7WKGXxtcRDj0oCn02SRM-b1ZIx78ylCfMF4boeQsbe0zSzP5V638r3cBiNClWa3i4lY1l6f6VcIjJS_sn0StYbcQp_JNxmVSABL76IuhB1mN-4DAPTe04er-JzNZ5VK5Z0SC1tisI/s1600/0616EA06-456D-47D8-8B9C-AB637719265E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_w7WKGXxtcRDj0oCn02SRM-b1ZIx78ylCfMF4boeQsbe0zSzP5V638r3cBiNClWa3i4lY1l6f6VcIjJS_sn0StYbcQp_JNxmVSABL76IuhB1mN-4DAPTe04er-JzNZ5VK5Z0SC1tisI/s400/0616EA06-456D-47D8-8B9C-AB637719265E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But there’s always a catch right?! I mean, this Aldi place kind of sounds too good to be true. Well, there are a couple things you should know before getting too excited...<br />
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1. Aldi doesn’t have “cart” people. If you want to use a shopping cart, you need to pop in a quarter to release the cart, and you’ll get your quarter back when you return it.<br />
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2. You bag your own groceries.<br />
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3. And don’t forget to bring your own bags. You can purchase bags at the store, but that kind of goes against the whole point of saving money;)<br />
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Some of our favorite Aldi finds...<br />
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1. Spinach/Artichoke Dip in the refrigerator section<br />
2. Baby food pouches (they’re organic, in transparent packaging, and under $.80 a piece!)<br />
3. Kale & Pepperjack Stuffed Chicken in the freezer section<br />
4. Bubble water (under $3 for 12 cans)<br />
5. Cheese sticks and pizzas (refrigerator section)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdz5T3ZpZsLCezcm3T3Fh86k_YzhbiIoCOP1OpPZP34NoD3VScEAyXieK362HVdqEqZiYeqOKN5O0Qs1wy_TuC05NKTFfzvALwkAenknTTFIDpiqcTnGppm7pbII9lfjbYDAKo79GpNE/s1600/714E9AEC-8009-4E54-98DE-C504D73474B1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdz5T3ZpZsLCezcm3T3Fh86k_YzhbiIoCOP1OpPZP34NoD3VScEAyXieK362HVdqEqZiYeqOKN5O0Qs1wy_TuC05NKTFfzvALwkAenknTTFIDpiqcTnGppm7pbII9lfjbYDAKo79GpNE/s400/714E9AEC-8009-4E54-98DE-C504D73474B1.jpeg" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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You can also find things like shoes for the family, women’s leggings, swimsuits, bath mats, flowers, etc. I’m often shocked at some of the things I find at Aldi. What’s your favorite Aldi find?Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-19327653010162922492019-10-07T06:02:00.000-07:002019-10-09T10:31:20.790-07:00DIY with mama saigh: Halloween decor.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/439444026222979/posts/1275163675984339?sfns=mo"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="828" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADg43pAdpe_JvcQV3UVPRLJNL0ukQQrIj7FG-Hv3ErRIiY41IYtqar974veTAtImHOTlJnFDR2I4_zJvHwOmfaVekGiHBMa4f-l6L0iuSJ9qHBVs1xkIjy7VuAdxYTL0o_4cK6L2i3Zo/s400/9A199898-8898-44E2-AB46-C49AAB7EA471.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Monday, I was back on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/439444026222979/posts/1275163675984339?sfns=mo">The Jason Show</a></b> with some DIY Halloween Decor ideas. Let's start with these beautiful velvet pumpkins...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ6pOJlGTJmGlL8Wyo-pagjM9FsoGo7zDnHDbTIzgy43Wdxpal_wOjKeQ6hlKxbEIaJ9jJGAS2jH70fe8Vx4anlL0sTKXNajmNdz4alH8YqB9MXCDUKDvfqIHtUqtDQL5tku71VVJAVc/s1600/IMG_2959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1412" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ6pOJlGTJmGlL8Wyo-pagjM9FsoGo7zDnHDbTIzgy43Wdxpal_wOjKeQ6hlKxbEIaJ9jJGAS2jH70fe8Vx4anlL0sTKXNajmNdz4alH8YqB9MXCDUKDvfqIHtUqtDQL5tku71VVJAVc/s400/IMG_2959.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In case you haven't noticed, velvet pumpkins are all the rage this fall. But at around $20 a piece, decorating with these beauties can get expensive. I figured out a way to make them at home for a fraction of the price!<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VELVET PUMPKINS</span></u></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWnURpeNChNdosM8r_cO489ZFfYJ91tiwT7iUVHKj50qYHQOJ8JSA7JLSkKM9PNB7vQAg93NoJjFjCaIGH9eIazZz28OhMqe-0NM1hO_K80tGuGFWAlmhSDgB5PGo-OU7Q6GGWmTA1W4/s1600/IMG_2965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWnURpeNChNdosM8r_cO489ZFfYJ91tiwT7iUVHKj50qYHQOJ8JSA7JLSkKM9PNB7vQAg93NoJjFjCaIGH9eIazZz28OhMqe-0NM1hO_K80tGuGFWAlmhSDgB5PGo-OU7Q6GGWmTA1W4/s400/IMG_2965.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start by cutting a circle out of a <b><a href="https://www.joann.com/glitterbug-solid-crushed-panne-fabric--white/15658446.html#q=Velvet%20Fabric&prefn1=prod_type&srule=search-default&sz=54&start=1&prefv1=Product">stretchy piece of velvet fabric</a></b>. I found a black and a white fabric<br />
at <b><a href="https://www.joann.com/glitterbug-solid-crushed-panne-fabric--white/15658446.html#q=Velvet%20Fabric&prefn1=prod_type&srule=search-default&sz=54&start=1&prefv1=Product">JoAnn Fabrics</a></b> for under $5/yard (they always have 40-50% off coupons online).<br />
You can make the circle as big or as small as you'd like, and don't worry about cutting the<br />
"perfect" circle (it doesn't matter - as you can see with the shape above).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIVPynZeXTCYD98LD3Wd2wdtN2arlEnaGvQepS0aj56gvO6CjmqWSeTQld50DggA-tkUqo9dc2AnKHgb4kMR3sQw1vNQRHVbCOJo0JmpoMW2KZTzu_X91v2gxxanJCn6RZyirSj1g_Dk/s1600/IMG_2966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIVPynZeXTCYD98LD3Wd2wdtN2arlEnaGvQepS0aj56gvO6CjmqWSeTQld50DggA-tkUqo9dc2AnKHgb4kMR3sQw1vNQRHVbCOJo0JmpoMW2KZTzu_X91v2gxxanJCn6RZyirSj1g_Dk/s400/IMG_2966.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a "heavier duty" thread and sewing needle (longer needle for larger pumpkins), sew a "simple stitch"<br />
along the edge of the fabric. Again, don't worry too much about making it "pretty" (it won't matter).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWaWsxnn-HFO8Q_SleBBH80jI9-ijTLA1bxbsY48JGWmrcxYu9b-5lq322F2J9uxLP-NBtuFS8zGXuegbiJUjnpgOsCSCUWn1M0dmLfeVN32RrwHnbA-gCIcCzRuhuXLYaGzJ96TPgOM/s1600/IMG_2967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWaWsxnn-HFO8Q_SleBBH80jI9-ijTLA1bxbsY48JGWmrcxYu9b-5lq322F2J9uxLP-NBtuFS8zGXuegbiJUjnpgOsCSCUWn1M0dmLfeVN32RrwHnbA-gCIcCzRuhuXLYaGzJ96TPgOM/s400/IMG_2967.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leave a space big enough to fill half of your pumpkin up with dry rice.<br />
Then, fill the rest of the pumpkin with a <b><a href="https://www.joann.com/32oz-poly-fil-premium-polyester-fiberfill/7400203.html">Poly-Fil</a></b>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghOSnqX2r2aMEPAAH7SLAlWBPAs3pjDS8sPl1_NSzpfjp0hqhwDcOPnQPCoXgdszorZ74qrcm-D4-Br_FVWtGAmiuIgVyznTWkwCZU8yjM13OS5khfkU9C2VSt6JQFymHWbvuxxg5P00/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghOSnqX2r2aMEPAAH7SLAlWBPAs3pjDS8sPl1_NSzpfjp0hqhwDcOPnQPCoXgdszorZ74qrcm-D4-Br_FVWtGAmiuIgVyznTWkwCZU8yjM13OS5khfkU9C2VSt6JQFymHWbvuxxg5P00/s400/IMG_2968.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMOkRxwzw7ZkeEIlLrv3tBRIWwk6FkB82JkkTaRNCYHboCtC6pVgNFLm5esWd1u852uI3p53QYU9vxqRDK1QZIczlDPwnuN7FUBec3XZVl4jCwfqGaM328nPJPeC9JfNLGpY9OzS8g4E/s1600/IMG_2970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMOkRxwzw7ZkeEIlLrv3tBRIWwk6FkB82JkkTaRNCYHboCtC6pVgNFLm5esWd1u852uI3p53QYU9vxqRDK1QZIczlDPwnuN7FUBec3XZVl4jCwfqGaM328nPJPeC9JfNLGpY9OzS8g4E/s400/IMG_2970.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secure and close the hole with your needle and thread.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc7-JyNY6KQn90qg7xT-tFMJ-hXrpxdCNccL_fkSkXzO2jzzUc7Ca_WWNMFBzxsjf6c2_RHxXEqjA2pnx1tyfbl__Bfb-7_Hfq0pi3Kx33pIgCbDA09vY1UBGzdcnfC7kvqe7DGJ_xlw/s1600/IMG_2971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc7-JyNY6KQn90qg7xT-tFMJ-hXrpxdCNccL_fkSkXzO2jzzUc7Ca_WWNMFBzxsjf6c2_RHxXEqjA2pnx1tyfbl__Bfb-7_Hfq0pi3Kx33pIgCbDA09vY1UBGzdcnfC7kvqe7DGJ_xlw/s400/IMG_2971.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next, take your needle down the center of your pumpkin, and then back up through<br />
he bottom of your pumpkin. Do this a couple times to make sure it's secure.<br />
Then, super-glue a stem from a gourd/pumpkin in the center of the top. Ta dah!</td></tr>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CONCRETE PUMPKINS</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhARQY9tELJxGmirBkO-lT0B3Px5BNi6t0rqTRInU0zKGtvK31r5Cmw-mee3y78mIVWFSQXniwPMlzG8QyrvGRQP1CtYOeGil4rhk0II2XtA6f2NJVT8IVbzMy1mq6EOqe_QrrV9K8LQ/s1600/IMG_3019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1424" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhARQY9tELJxGmirBkO-lT0B3Px5BNi6t0rqTRInU0zKGtvK31r5Cmw-mee3y78mIVWFSQXniwPMlzG8QyrvGRQP1CtYOeGil4rhk0II2XtA6f2NJVT8IVbzMy1mq6EOqe_QrrV9K8LQ/s400/IMG_3019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Give me ALL the concrete EVERYTHING! I love the look of concrete countertops, home-decor, and when I saw concrete pumpkins at a store for almost $50/piece... I knew I had to figure out a way to make them for less. With the help of my husband ("Papa Saigh"), we made these beauties for a little over $1 each!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8P5lGrm_jBI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8P5lGrm_jBI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Papa Saigh mixed up some concrete using a cement-mixer drill attachment to get the air bubbles out, and poured it into a <b><a href="https://www.target.com/p/pumpkin-pail-with-handle-trick-or-treat-container-hyde-eek-boutique-153/-/A-54502107?preselect=75668004#lnk=sametab">plastic pumpkin</a></b> that we found at <b><a href="https://www.target.com/p/pumpkin-pail-with-handle-trick-or-treat-container-hyde-eek-boutique-153/-/A-54502107?preselect=75668004#lnk=sametab">Target</a></b> for $1 (the kind that kids use to go trick-or-treating). Fill the pumpkin about 3/4 of the way full. Before the cement sets, take a mason jar and spray the outside with cooking spray, and gently set the mason jar into the cement in the plastic pumpkin. Let this dry for at least 48 hours. Remove the plastic pumpkin with a carpenter's knife (be careful!). Gently wriggle the mason jar out of the concrete, and fill that hole with candy, succulent, etc. (get creative!).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0SjQcprIZlgHtFXXIFe6E85-LIZVyFU1apselfLgCBk0eA1-QBu0KYy_KFUaGnQipljqLlwOM_iwTH_-m5wPUwfjOSkuRT6egGCdV8r0-87gZb2Yd88jeInu7qTzoOjthRNIIYcRfg4/s1600/IMG_3016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1421" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0SjQcprIZlgHtFXXIFe6E85-LIZVyFU1apselfLgCBk0eA1-QBu0KYy_KFUaGnQipljqLlwOM_iwTH_-m5wPUwfjOSkuRT6egGCdV8r0-87gZb2Yd88jeInu7qTzoOjthRNIIYcRfg4/s400/IMG_3016.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found some small succulents at IKEA, and placed them in the concrete pumpkins to<br />
add some color to our fall table-scape. I added the DIY velvet pumpkins, antlers and<br />
candles to complete the look. The <b><a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/lohals-rug-flatwoven-natural-00277395/">LOHALS Rug</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/lindrande-decoration-cage-black-40432436/">birdcage</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/lindrande-decoration-leaf-black-70431138/">black feather</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/hoestmys-decoration-ball-beige-black-10430306/">decorative balls</a></b>,<br />
and <b><a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/fiskelaege-decoration-set-of-4-bird-dark-brown-10446741/">decorative birds</a></b> on the hutch are also from <b><a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/">IKEA</a></b>. We love shopping at IKEA for<br />
inexpensive home-decor that looks high-end.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>RUG LAYERING</u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZquTM_2IEZhEC9Zai0dDEe8H4sxLOMaMLEh0Bz9KpOhnkV5vC0EqQ0rj8y0xqfqGx3ZznXqnSziUPQTIq_S44fyF3dz2Wa08inVwccP0CiMXXPabwJSltsMajK71evfZ7iYspyIeLOhA/s1600/IMG_3008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZquTM_2IEZhEC9Zai0dDEe8H4sxLOMaMLEh0Bz9KpOhnkV5vC0EqQ0rj8y0xqfqGx3ZznXqnSziUPQTIq_S44fyF3dz2Wa08inVwccP0CiMXXPabwJSltsMajK71evfZ7iYspyIeLOhA/s400/IMG_3008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am obsessed with our new fall doormat by <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/OhTrendyBaby">Oh Trendy Baby</a></b>. They have tons of custom doormat options with super funny and cute sayings. I ordered a <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/pop/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_pop?_encoding=UTF8&gen=canonical&lineItemId=knjmmtiorjmnony&orderId=113-7429719-8018637&packageId=1&returnSummaryId=&returnUnitIndices=&shipmentId=D4dmhVL4x">black and white buffalo plaid rug</a></b> from <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/pop/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_pop?_encoding=UTF8&gen=canonical&lineItemId=knjmmtiorjmnony&orderId=113-7429719-8018637&packageId=1&returnSummaryId=&returnUnitIndices=&shipmentId=D4dmhVL4x">Amazon</a></b>, to add some layer and color to our front porch this fall.</td></tr>
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Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-2314562169323310522019-10-03T07:34:00.000-07:002019-10-03T07:34:37.965-07:00GIVEAWAY: Snow white at the children's theatre company.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>TICKET GIVEAWAY</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwwtO_cZ_jfVivxuRUgXeRnlam_L8ImXGRJQHBI32yk_TjuyrW84Y4IcbCnk9-RnROiiEEeX75L1B67TNAPjXCq8xUA7T3-Rkloh5fM2au3Q-zbhWiKNFvSOudUc6aVfJR_-S_b8Q0VA/s1600/Snow-White-1024x410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwwtO_cZ_jfVivxuRUgXeRnlam_L8ImXGRJQHBI32yk_TjuyrW84Y4IcbCnk9-RnROiiEEeX75L1B67TNAPjXCq8xUA7T3-Rkloh5fM2au3Q-zbhWiKNFvSOudUc6aVfJR_-S_b8Q0VA/s400/Snow-White-1024x410.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We are giving away 4 TICKETS to the <b><a href="https://www.childrenstheatre.org/">Children's Theatre Company</a></b>'s performance of <b><a href="https://www.childrenstheatre.org/plays/2019-2020-season/snow-white">Snow White</a></b>, running through December 8th, 2019 in Minneapolis! For your chance to win, follow us on <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissasaigh/">Instagram</a></b> (<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissasaigh/">@MelissaSaigh</a></b>), "like" this contest post on <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissasaigh/">Instagram</a></b>, and "tag" at least one friend who you think would want to see this show. You must do all three in order to be entered for your chance to win. One winner will be randomly selected on Sunday, October 6th at 8 p.m. to win 4 tickets to Snow White at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Show dates and times subject to availability. Good luck!<br />
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<b><a href="https://my.childrenstheatre.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=8955">Tickets</a></b> to the show are available for purchase. Get yours before the shows sell out! Our full review of this show will be posted later this week.<br />
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-42426712591533252972019-08-08T08:11:00.001-07:002019-08-08T08:17:23.436-07:00Happy golden birthday, linna.Our “original” Minnesota Baby is 8 years old today! Linna Jane, you are our favorite daughter, and we couldn’t be more proud of the young lady you’re becoming. You still have the same “cry face” that you did when you were a newborn, and I still get choked up thinking about the day you were born. You changed our lives for the better, and you gave me the gift of becoming a Mom. You’re an amazing big sister to your two little brothers, and we can’t wait to watch you grow up. I can’t believe you’re 8! Happy birthday, sweet girl.<br />
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(I’ve recorded these videos every year since she was two, right before she goes to bed on the eve of her birthday. Here are Linna’s last words as a 7-year-old.)</div>
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(Linna’s last words as a 3-year-old)</div>
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-75158889449656756132019-06-18T06:05:00.001-07:002019-06-18T06:05:08.094-07:00Baby tony is finally walking.The baby of the family is finally walking at 15 months old! Baby Tony mastered the “butt scoot” around a year old, and that has been his preferred mode of transportation ever since. He never crawled. While I wasn’t worried, his pediatrician was a little concerned at Tony’s 12-month wellness visit, and recommended that he see a physical therapist to help him learn to crawl, squat, and walk. We had a few appointments at Gillette Children’s in Minnetonka (love them!), and just as they expected, Tony decided to stand up and walk when he was ready!<div>
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Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-50163951640756192292019-06-10T09:22:00.000-07:002019-06-10T09:22:41.736-07:00Recipe: Energy bites.Per the 7-year-old's request, we made Energy Bites this morning. This is a super easy recipe that makes a pretty big batch of bite-size balls that you can pop in the fridge, for a quick snack!<br />
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<b><u>Ingredients:</u></b><br />
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2 cups oats<br />
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips<br />
3/4 cup flax seeds<br />
1 cup peanut butter<br />
1/2 cup honey<br />
1 TBSP vanilla extract<br />
1/2 cup coconut (optional)<br />
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Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl with your hands, form into bite-size balls, and store in the fridge for a go-to energy snack!<br />
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-41731542554058267532019-05-11T05:39:00.003-07:002019-05-11T05:39:52.610-07:00Linna in mama saigh’s wedding dress.Cue the waterworks. My mom found my wedding dress in their house this week (I thought it was long-gone), and she brought it over to our house. Our oldest (and only daughter) tried it on. I’m going to be a basket case when she gets married!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linna, age 7, in my wedding dress.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCPblwYuVl2P2e1QmJA0LZ46Y0z-bTjd0G7bb_wUnYkAhIV0-I4FlBAIHQOWEwu5j9mIc7oQcJZFrB9JM1x-jtAPq-Nmx4OXkZ5vdd5p8A4MlZ64bRvkoCuAmhj6TSosTkYEXC_APTYA/s1600/0219F1B6-1061-40AA-A81A-3808F772EA00.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="802" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCPblwYuVl2P2e1QmJA0LZ46Y0z-bTjd0G7bb_wUnYkAhIV0-I4FlBAIHQOWEwu5j9mIc7oQcJZFrB9JM1x-jtAPq-Nmx4OXkZ5vdd5p8A4MlZ64bRvkoCuAmhj6TSosTkYEXC_APTYA/s400/0219F1B6-1061-40AA-A81A-3808F772EA00.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wedding day: October 2nd, 2010.</td></tr>
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-36846453364825319862019-04-24T07:24:00.002-07:002019-04-24T08:02:11.311-07:00Papa Saigh is bumblebee.Typical Tuesday 😆. Papa Saigh comes home from work yesterday, dressed as a transformer to surprise our Bumblebee-obsessed 3-year-old. Jimmy wore his Optimus Prime costume to school this morning to show his friends. I’m pretty sure that Jimmy’s year was made! I’m so thankful to have a husband who works so hard to provide for our family, and still takes time to do special things like this for his kiddos!<br />
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-8480596352987110592019-04-03T10:55:00.000-07:002019-04-03T10:55:01.868-07:00Moldy wieners + mom shamers.Recently, I posted a few pictures on our social media pages of an Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners package that I ordered from Target (via Shipt). As I was getting ready to pop one of the hotdogs in the microwave for my 3-year-old son's dinner, I noticed green spots through one side of the clear packaging. I took one of the hotdogs out, sliced it open, and discovered the green spots inside the hotdog as well. Obviously disgusted, I snapped some photos of the expiration date (May 2019), packaging, as well as the product, and emailed them to Oscar Mayer and Kraft so they could alert consumers and look into the issue. I also shared the photos on social media to alert our friends, and encourage other parents to inspect the food that they buy from stores.<br />
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<br />
I feel a responsibility to respond to the people who took the time to leave judgmental comments on my social media post, and to stand up for all the moms who have ever fed their child a hotdog.<br />
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First of all, I have absolutely ZERO shame feeding my kids convenience foods like hotdogs. Heck, I've even watched my over-tired, hungry 1-year-old gobble up Kraft Mac & Cheese off the kitchen floor, because the thought of trying to secure his flailing 25.5 lb. body into his highchair would have sent me over the edge after a long day at home with all three kids.`I've even let my 7-year-old choose a Pop Tart for dinner because she wanted to make it herself, and she was so proud of herself for plating that Pop Tart with a side of baby carrots and apple slices. Sometimes, it's just easier to choose your battles, give in a little, and take the convenient route... all in the name of sanity.<br />
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Second, I know that mom-shaming comments from judgy people, come from a place of insecurity. How do I know this? Well, I consider myself to be a former "judgy mom" and "mom-shamer".<br />
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When I was pregnant with our first child, and in the years following her birth, I made countless "My kids will NEVER..." comments.<br />
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"My kids will NEVER use an iPad at a restaurant."<br />
"I would NEVER give my baby formula."<br />
"My kids will NEVER run around in public with a runny nose."<br />
"I would NEVER let my kid cry on an airplane."<br />
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I was the stay-at-home mom who exclusively fed her baby breastmilk, and made ALL of her food from scratch. I took her to enrichment classes and swimming lessons before she could crawl, considered forgoing our pediatrician's recommended vaccines, sanitized every pacifier that fell on the floor, and had a nightly bedtime routine that included songs, books, a dimly-lit room, and 100% of my undivided attention. I couldn't understand how other parents' houses were "so messy", how parents could EVER consider feeding their children processed food, and I even scoffed at other moms who chose to go back to work after they'd had a baby.<br />
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I mean, why on EARTH would a mother choose to have a nanny, grandparent, or daycare "raise" her child?!<br />
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Yes, I'm Melissa Saigh, and I'm a former mom-shamer.<br />
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All of my judgments came from a very insecure place. At the time, I was struggling with an undiagnosed Postpartum Depression/Anxiety, and I was terrified of "failing" in my new role as a mom. I judged other moms to make myself feel better about the job I was doing.<br />
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Isn't that sad?!<br />
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Parenting is a MUCH easier job when you're not a parent, or when you're parenting from the sidelines. But once you get in there and get your hands dirty, and you're face-to-face with a toddler on the verge of an epic meltdown, while struggling to help your school-age child with her homework after dance class, while trying to prepare a bottle for your screaming infant, while trying to get a healthy dinner on the table for your family...<br />
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SOMETIMES GRABBING A F*CKING HOTDOG OUT OF THE FRIDGE IS JUST GOOD ENOUGH.<br />
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The amount of pressure today's moms are under is pretty terrifying. We're constantly being told that the food we're giving our children is "toxic", and our "parenting styles" could be harmful to their development. If we don't send our kid to school with a heart-shaped organic sandwich for lunch, or sign our babies up for the music class that EVERY other mom is posting about on social media, or give our toddlers a hotdog for dinner, does that mean we're failing at our job as a mom?!<br />
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It's no wonder that so many moms are pouring themselves a glass of wine around 4 p.m., or popping an anxiety pill just to get through the day. Keeping our kids alive, safe, feeling confident, loved, and cared for in today's world is hard...ESPECIALLY when the mom-shamers are standing on the sidelines with their judgmental feedback on the job we're doing.<br />
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Sometimes, moms need to stop and ask themselves...<br />
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"What would my mom do?"<br />
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I grew up in the 80s, and my mom most definitely didn't hover around us as we played outside. We stayed outside with the neighbor kids until it was dark, rode our bikes on busy streets to buy candy at the gas station, and my mom often served Kraft Mac & Cheese with hotdogs for dinner. I'm pretty confident that she wasn't stressed out about the NON-whole-grain pasta she fed us for dinner, and she wasn't having anxiety attacks over sending us to school with a slice of white bread and piece of processed cheese for lunch. My mom even sent us to a daycare where the daycare lady smoked cigarettes in the house.<br />
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Guess what?! My siblings and I turned out OK, and I think my mom did a fantastic job raising us as a single mom in our early years.<br />
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We've all heard it before, but the mom-shaming MUST STOP. After three kids, three separate struggles with postpartum depression/anxiety, and an anxiety attack this year that kind of came out of nowhere, I have made a commitment to myself and my kids to stop stressing about every parenting decision that I make. I've discovered the beauty of having a little thing called "empathy", and the discovery has been life-changing.<br />
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Every person is dealing with things that we know nothing about. Everyone has internal struggles, and most people are dealing with some sort of sadness or loss that we may never understand. That is why it is so important for moms to have each others' backs. If you're truly concerned about the processed food another mom is feeding her kids, take the time to bring her a basket of fresh fruits and veggies, or even make her dinner, instead of taking the time to make a judgmental comment. I'm sure she'd appreciate it.<br />
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And mamas, if it makes your job a little easier tonight... Grab that package of hotdogs out of the fridge and pop them in the microwave for dinner tonight! You'll find no judgement here. Just make sure to check for green spots first;)<br />
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* UPDATE: The people at Oscar Mayer replied to my email today, and this is what they wrote...<br />
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And yes, I will feed my kids hotdogs again. And I might even buy Oscar Mayer Wieners again.<br />
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Judge away.<br />
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-67871038210988901052019-03-20T09:59:00.001-07:002019-03-20T09:59:26.535-07:00Baby tony's first birthday.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGSRnql66pslaEEMmv-Yjb5y3IXfmwiaIc_CcOugyEyjI6uPADWh469eaXkUo4Z5LPYbK-0DeUhe55ZT6NTdUHSHWpM1gSogrUwRFkMY4ht5vk1raTRI5hIK6SzLI43GOXSmKn3kvsJg/s1600/CC174348-BEE4-438C-B613-64E6636B8462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1025" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGSRnql66pslaEEMmv-Yjb5y3IXfmwiaIc_CcOugyEyjI6uPADWh469eaXkUo4Z5LPYbK-0DeUhe55ZT6NTdUHSHWpM1gSogrUwRFkMY4ht5vk1raTRI5hIK6SzLI43GOXSmKn3kvsJg/s320/CC174348-BEE4-438C-B613-64E6636B8462.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 day old Baby Tony on St. Patrick's Day 2018</td></tr>
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Dang. This poor, neglected blog. Who knew that adding a third kiddo to the mix, would leave this space... Well, pretty much abandoned?!<br />
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Yikes.<br />
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Our third (and last!) baby turned one last week, and I'm still trying to figure out where the last year went. Baby Tony (Anthony Wallace Saigh) is the surprise we never knew our family needed, and now we can't imagine our lives without our rolly-polly, always smiling ray of sunshine!<br />
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We celebrated our baby boy with family and neighbors at our home this past weekend. Tony got to devour his first birthday cake, and open some pretty fantastic gifts from the wonderful people in our lives.<br />
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Baby Tony, you are honestly the happiest and most chill baby EVER! You're sleeping 12-13 hours at night (usually 6 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.), you nap like a champ, you eat what we eat, and you're always perfectly content discovering new things on your own, or with the help of your big brother and sister. You love giving kisses, and handing people toys so you can hear the words "thank you". You make my heart melt when I see your little face and entire body light up with excitement when you see your siblings enter the room. The love you three have for one another is so beautiful.<br />
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Your Mama is going to try her best to establish your presence a little more on this blog, as you continue to grow. We are SO in love with and proud of you. Happy first birthday, little man!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Tony: March 14th, 2019.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Saigh and Baby Tony.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawANt4fN2ZHeQZXpm863XXhSIUmNNlGX3n0YnuLgaOdoi8elCUG5lqD9ASrLLbrLzZ5NhrVlj6hirage68zELvj7NKgFlP_yabBhpePo3iuYfxSB1f_QRm-bUpu2mY3tAZy0rsV3kv28/s1600/IMG_6033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawANt4fN2ZHeQZXpm863XXhSIUmNNlGX3n0YnuLgaOdoi8elCUG5lqD9ASrLLbrLzZ5NhrVlj6hirage68zELvj7NKgFlP_yabBhpePo3iuYfxSB1f_QRm-bUpu2mY3tAZy0rsV3kv28/s400/IMG_6033.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Paige and Baby Tony.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Scotty, trying to put together the new car that he and<br />Auntie Holly got Baby Tony for his birthday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Sister Linna and Big Brother Jimmy helping their little brother eat his birthday cake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New wheels.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 5 long winter months, the 34-degree temp on Baby Tony's<br />birthday felt tropical!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day as an 11-month-old!</td></tr>
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<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-90535691914544508212019-02-13T09:55:00.000-08:002019-02-13T10:05:36.517-08:00Baby tony on “the jason show” today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is video of Baby Tony (10 months old) on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JasonShowTV/">The Jason Show</a></b> this morning! My friend Jason Matheson did a nice job convincing us to try the <b><a href="https://www.birdseye.com/new-from-birdseye/">Bird’s Eye Frozen Veggie Pastas</a></b>, and I’m still shocked that this pasta is made from lentils and veggies. We’ve tried other pasta-alternatives made with cauliflower, chickpeas, etc., and have been less than impressed. But Bird’s Eye has created a winner! It seriously is really good! I’ve seen these frozen pastas at <b><a href="https://www.cub.com/">CUB Foods</a></b>, as well as <b><a href="https://www.target.com/">Target</a></b>.Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-15138244539321274902018-12-20T08:08:00.001-08:002018-12-20T15:25:07.256-08:00DIY with mama saigh: Holiday gifts for the kids.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/439444026222979/posts/1072753646225344/"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="828" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqtrJagG8akHM6erXoDPdUbwuos4xYtlGJT5-5TL1J3d7aUI9NEt5Tz2XVWbzDm9yU1WdBFxwAIkFbOUIZ1kiI3f7JwCKu2XleTyJSJZ6ceoTba5LGFs0hYkBbhQnTLElmDqv5hgUBXg/s400/EB5F163F-315C-4940-880A-89503A912089.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Click on the above photo to watch video of this entire segment on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/439444026222979/posts/1072753646225344/">The Jason Show!</a></b></div>
Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-26743920790785308032018-11-14T13:27:00.002-08:002018-11-14T13:34:43.713-08:00Jimmy's final words as a 2-year-old.I've recorded these videos of our oldest on the eve of her birthday, ever since she was two. So it was super special to be able to start this tradition with our middle child. Happy 3rd birthday, Jameson Marshall!<br />
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(Recorded before bedtime on November 13th, 2018)<br />
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(This is Jimmy's big sister, Linna, on the eve of her 3rd birthday - August 7th, 2014)</div>
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Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686778500063450122.post-89036258585365480982018-11-12T06:40:00.000-08:002018-11-12T18:01:55.728-08:00DIY with mama saigh: Thanksgiving kids' table ideas.I was back on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JasonShowTV/videos/2013329128927621/">The Jason Show</a></b> today, with some fun ideas for the kids' table on Thanksgiving! Click on the image below to watch the entire segment from the show...<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JasonShowTV/videos/2013329128927621/"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="668" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfr0xG3DHNSdYyDyNDqEl6jUT1FgcbTvc6wmGacAMPEiS9jkB-YfdxNT5JcxepslaOHKwIKKTuRQ-qAOt8fiGqYzsMz-8kX-5up6863mVvcRsinPIoBGBD9nzsG8NJqEJrRj3LqRPRZs/s400/jason.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are a few of the ideas that I featured on the show...<br />
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Have your kids make butter for the Thanksgiving tables, using just one ingredient! Did you know that you can make homemade butter from heavy cream, by shaking it in a jar for a few minutes?! Pour heavy cream into a tightly sealed jar about half-way full, and let your kiddos shake it up. In about 10-15 minutes, you'll have a solid chunk of butter that you can add salt to, or a little honey to create a delicious honey-butter. It's a little science project, right before their very eyes!</div>
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Let the kiddos carve their oven Thanksgiving turkey at their table! All you need are some brown paper bags, filling (candy, popcorn, etc.), a plastic bag (if you're using popcorn), tape, and a hot glue-gun, scissors, and white paper. Stuff the center of the turkey with popcorn or treats (get creative!), and then attach the stuffed legs to the body of the turkey with your hot glue-gun or tape. I stuffed these turkey legs with paper, but you can use toilet paper rolls too! Then, cut some slits into your white paper strips, and attach them to the turkey legs. Finally, let the kids carve into the turkey to discover their yummy surprise!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_Ci_jsbWfNxaf6jzRKnVhmOpQHa_IOjUbQnKTuTjgQOXCSR2R301akGmUC-Hji3ixtWUWWOVN6x5ngesd5q5j85oScAZ8ji8o1ygqGXmhHU4TOZerag1I9-SlRCJtH8izQisHb79bvk/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_Ci_jsbWfNxaf6jzRKnVhmOpQHa_IOjUbQnKTuTjgQOXCSR2R301akGmUC-Hji3ixtWUWWOVN6x5ngesd5q5j85oScAZ8ji8o1ygqGXmhHU4TOZerag1I9-SlRCJtH8izQisHb79bvk/s400/IMG_0636.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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These little veggie turkey cups couldn't be easier to make! Plus they're a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies on Thanksgiving. Gobble Gobble!</div>
<br />Minnesota Babyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10079013726891019451noreply@blogger.com2