Get your royalty on!

The Georgia Renaissance Festival is still happening for a few more weeks! We took our very own little princess last weekend and had such a great time. The weather was absolutely gorgeous - unlike last year when we went in 95+ degree heat! We walked casually through the kingdom, meeting jesters, lords, and ladies along the way.

Amelia tried her hand at some archery, took a photo with the king and queen, and laughed at the Mud Show. If you are looking for something to do around Atlanta or the North Georgia region, take a drive to Fairburn. It's a royally good time!

And this weekend, May 18th and 19th? Is Pirate's Weekend! Perfect for the little tough guys in your life.

The key in my hand...

Cool to the touch.

Hidden within my palm.

Small and shiny.

  

This key unlocks the next chapter in our lives.We closed on our new house this week! It is our forever home. Amelia will have sleepovers here. We will take prom photos on this front porch. Here, my baby girl will primp in her cap and gown with nervous excitement before graduation. This home may hold another pet, another child. This home will see us grow even more. It will be our haven, our safe place.

We face a tremendous amount of packing and moving ahead, but I look forward to getting settled again. In a few weeks or months, I will finally sink into the cushion of the couch and take a real moment to look. A quiet reflection to say hello to our new home, and all the next steps it will quietly observe.

Parenting: the real truth

I cannot shout "amen!" loud enough to this one. I saw it first on Facebook, and shared. But it is too perfect not to share further!

To Parents of Small Children: Let Me Be the One Who Says It Out Loud

(I don't steal content, so click to read)

Thank you, smart father for saying what we all know and feel!

Happy early Mother's Day to all the tired mamas out there.

"I love Mommy and Daddy" overkill?

Amelia is an extremely sensitive and loving child. She loves to snuggle and give surprise kisses. She has a sweet heart and a creative mind, always making up stories, coloring, or singing. Sometimes all at the same time!

Nearly every picture Amelia draws is finished off with a big " I LOVE MOMMY I LOVE DADDY" across the top of the page. She creates masterpieces and presents them to us like magical treasures.

Cute, right?

Photos: World of Coca-Cola

We have had a lot of rain lately! Soccer games keep getting canceled, and we are bored of sitting indoors and staring at each other. Last Sunday, we decided to do something much more exciting - we visited The World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta!

Amelia had never been there, and it had been several years since I've seen the place and tasted the drinks as well. So we were all excited for a fun day out. Even in rain.

Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy

So we added another Disney on Ice show to our checklist! Amelia and I took some fun friends to the Disney on Ice presents Worlds Of Fantasy show this morning, at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Over the past two years, we have enjoyed Disney on Ice presents Rockin' Ever After and Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream at Phillips Arena in downtown Atlanta. 

The Gwinnett Center arena was nice, although a bit of a long drive for us. But it seemed mediumer than Phillips, and all the seats were good. Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy features Mickey and Minne, the cast of Cars, the Disney Fairies, The Little Mermaid, and Toy Story 3. 

American Girl $300 Gift Card #giveaway for May!

 

A few weeks ago, I told you about an upcoming huge giveaway - American Girl!The time has finally come, and the American Girl $300 gift card giveaway is here! I have partnered with several blogs to promote this great prize, but would love to see a BalancingMama reader win it! Enter by May 31st via the Rafflecopter box below - just log in with a name and email, and select the options for entries. 

Hosted by NYSavingSpecials 

and 

Your Fashion Resource

Co-Host:

Books R Us, Barbara's Beat, All in a Day's Work, An Ordinary Housewife, 
 Simply Sherryl, Mom 'N Daughter Savings, Stay a Stay at Home Mom, 
This Girl's Life, Phillyfun4kids, High Tea

Come and join us on this great giveaway.

We are giving away an American Girl Doll Gift Card of $300

#WW: Spring color

Springtime in Atlanta always means gorgeous colors! Even the flowers at my house are behaving nicely:

Lilac

Mothers' Day $120 giveaway! #win

Mothers are amazing, supportive, wonderful people, and I have joined with a group of Georgia Social Media Moms to celebrate moms everywhere!

How, you ask?
With a fantastic $120 Amazon gift card giveaway!

Enter today for your mom, your grandma, your wife, a friend, or even yourself! Click into the entry form below, and make sure to also leave a comment (favorite Mother's Day gift to give or receive) on this blog to qualify.

Entry-Form

Good luck!