Father’s Day is right around the corner, and since we’ll be far away from home because we’re traveling to Puerto Rico on Friday, I’m letting the kids give their gifts to their dad a bit earlier than usual.

Originally, I freaked out about this because I’m already under a lot of pressure as I try to prepare and leave everything ready for our month-long trip. But then, I reminded myself that celebrating Father’s Day is not a huge deal to my husband, and so I decided to go with something simple, but super useful: a car wash kit.

You might recall we recently cleaned out our very messy garage and we ended up filling two trash cans with lots of empty bottles and old stuff we no longer use. That’s when I realized my husband had pretty much run out of everything he uses to wash the cars and bikes. So when the time came to put something easy together for him for Father’s Day, a car wash kit is what made the most sense.

My daughter came to our local Walmart with me where we found everything we needed for a car wash kit for under $25. Check out we got:

• Armor All Original Protectant
• Turtle Wax Foam for Tires
• Microfiber Wash Sponge
• Odor Eliminating Auto Vent Sticks
• Multipurpose Interior Detail Brush
• Tire Brush
• Chamois
• Bucket

To make the whole thing a bit more personalized, I asked my daughter to choose her favorite stickers to decorate the bucket however she wanted. We put all the products inside and we plan on giving it to him before we leave on our trip. My 3-year-old son, who loves it when we go to the car wash, says he can’t wait to have his own car wash at home with all the stuff we bought for his dad.

Disclosure: As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received product samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

On a recent trip to Tijuana, I got my daughter Vanessa a wall calendar in Spanish. Since we just got back home from a holiday trip, we only put it up yesterday. Immediately, she saw the little drawing on the calendar marking el Día de los Reyes Magos and she realized it was right around the corner. On Sunday, Jan. 6 to be exact. I, of course, panicked because although I have a couple of books I kept over from Christmas, my kids’ stockings are completely empty.

I know that many Latino kids who celebrate Reyes do so by leaving grass inside a box for the Three Kings’ camels as well as a shoe at the foot of their beds for the gifts they will bring them. At least that was how my Puerto Rican husband celebrated and, in fact, he remembers that the gifts he got for Reyes were usually much bigger and better than the ones he got for Christmas. I guess their Reyes celebration was more in tune with the Spanish version than mine.

For my siblings and I, it was different. We used to get our gifts in our stockings and they were usually minor things, like lots of candy and very small toys. Stuff that could fit in our stockings, I guess. Anyhow, as I mentioned, yesterday I was reminded that my kids stockings are empty, so this morning I rushed to Walmart to get them some last minute gifts to fill them up. The idea was for me to see how many things I could get for them under $10 for a total amount of $50. And boy did I score big!

I’ve always gotten really good deals at Walmart, but I guess I didn’t realize how much I could get for $50.

Check out the list of last minute Reyes Magos gifts I was able to get under $10:

For Vanessa:

1. Strawberry Shortcake DVD (with Spanish track!)
2. Mini Colorado snow globes (she collects them)
3. Rapunzel (her favorite Disney princess right now) placemat
4. Mini activity book with stickers
5. Sea life glitter stickers (for a project she’s working on with sea shells she’s collected from beaches in different states/countries)
6. Candy & a silly mini spinner with lights

Can you believe Christmas is less than three weeks away? I can’t — especially because I haven’t done ANY shopping at all. ¡Auxilio! If you’re anything like me, then you’ll like what I’m about to tell you…

For a couple of years now, we’ve been wanting to put together a gift guide and I’m happy to announce we’ve finally done it! The thing with our Ultimate Gift Guide for Bilingual Kids is that it’s really not only to get gift giving ideas during the holidays. It’s really for any time of the year when you’re looking for that special something to give to a bilingual kid or family.

In our gift guide, you’ll find our favorite picks in terms of book, music, clothing, toys and a few other things we love and feel they best represent our Latino culture or are worth having if your child is growing up bilingual. I must say I’m very happy with how much things have change and how much we have available today in comparison to when we first launched SpanglishBaby four years ago. This is particularly true when it comes to book choices, but others are noticing the need to have products that speak to Latinos and I love that!

So head on over to our Ultimate Gift Guide for Bilingual Kids and take a peek! We hope you too will love what we’ve picked, that you find the perfect gift for #BilingualKids and that you share the guide with others!

¡Felices Fiestas!

{Photo by asenat29}

Do I really need to go around announcing to the world around me that in my own little world “Se Habla Spanglish?” Heck yes! Why? Because I’m proud of my Spanglish – the one where you speak both languages fluently and can switch effortlessly between one and the other – and that means I will happily announce it by wearing the cute T-shirt Cynthia, of Dos Borreguitas sent me.

The aqua of the background and the two-tone pink of the letters make this a shirt you will wear and definitely get comments about, and you’ll love it.

Dos Borreguitas started out making original and bilingual onesies and tees for babies and kids, as well as carrying “Chido Stuff” with a hint of kitsch. I think I might have actually pinned everything on their online shop at one point – it’s all so cute and perfect for our bilingual/bicultural, unique lifestyle. And, yes, they also make the perfect unique gifts that are made to stand out.

The “Se Habla Spanglish” t-shirt, along with the “Lucha Libros” are the first ones in their new collection for Mamas y Papas. I sure hope these aren’t the last!

The Giveaway!

We are giving away one “Se Habla Spanglish” adult size shirt (Men’s or Women’s) – to one winner, and one “Mijito” or “Mijita” onesie or toddler T-shirt – to one winner. That’s a total of TWO lucky winners! Just visit the Dos Borreguitas website and leave us a comment telling us which is your favorite Dos Borreguitas product. Then enter the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not sure if you’ve noticed already or not, but the reason why I don’t write any of the craft or activity posts on SpanglishBaby is because I am not crafty. At all. It’s not even in my blood. I actually have a case of envy, tinged with respect and desire, every time I read blog posts with pictures from creative moms and their kids. I feel my daughter is missing out on that.

But, since I’m not one to dwell on the not-haves, I do what I can and I get all the help I can to help me be creative with my daughter. Camila loves doing arts and crafts and I certainly don’t want to deprive her of that.

Enter the BabbaBox from BabbaCo.

Never heard of it? Heard of it but curious as to what’s really inside the box? Briefly, the BabbaBox is a monthly subscription box for kids ages 3-6 which arrives at your door and delivers themed projects to get creative and engage with your child without the hassle!

Watch this silly video of Camila and I discovering our first BabbaBox with the theme of Sprouting Seeds so you can get a better idea of all the goodness these boxes pack, then scroll down for more info, a discount code and a giveaway!

As you saw, inside the BabbaBox you will find neatly packaged bags with different activities and accompanying instructions, all under one monthly umbrella theme to Create, Explore, Story Tell and Connect.

What was inside our BabbaBox?

Create: A potted herb plant and flower pens

Explore: A magnifying glass to explore and sort the seeds for the herb plant

Story Tell: A Curious George Grows a Garden book!

Connect: Seed-themed digital downloads with the Lorax

Plus, every box comes with a little surprise for mamá or papá! This one had a Vosges chocolate I’m gobbling as I type.

Another detail to love are the visually modified instructions available online for each theme for children with autism and related disabilities.

I’m thrilled someone thought of creating something for busy moms like me who need a no-hassle way of creating enriching moments with our kids. I can definitely see this being something we’ll look forward to receiving every month and create memories from. Also makes for an amazing gift, don’t you think?

Go to BabbaCo and sign up to try it out for a month using this coupon code to get 20% off the first box: SB20OFF You´ll be hooked!

Or, enter our giveaway for one free box!

The Giveaway

We’re giving away one BabbaBox to one lucky winner!

To enter, all you have to do is visit the BabbaCo website here and tell us what you like the most about the BabbaBox.

That’s all you have to do to enter this giveaway. If you want to up your chances at winning, then this is how you can get additional entries (only after you’ve completed the step above):

**Please leave a separate comment for each so we can count them and avoid mistakes.

1. Subscribe to the BabbaBox newsletter and leave us an extra comment letting us know you did so or that you’re already a subscriber. Make sure to leave the comment using the same email you subscribed with.

2. Like BabbaCo on Facebook and leave a comment letting us know you did so.

2. Follow us on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway including a link to the post @BabbaCo and @SpanglishBaby. Copy the link to the tweet in an additional comment on the giveaway’s post.

Click to Tweet Ex: Visit @SpanglishBaby to win one BabbaBox from @BabbaCo to entertain create, story tell, explore & connect! http://bit.ly/MJpVGa

This giveaway ends Tuesday, June 26 at 11:59 p.m. EST and is open to everyone with a U.S. mailing address over 18 years of age. Check out the Giveaway Rules.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of BabbaCo.com  All links to BabbaCo.com are affiliate codes. All opinions are always our own.

I´m used to having to congratulate my mom and give her a gift at the same time I´m receiving a gift and congratulations from her.  As of 3 years ago, I´ve had to get used to receiving the one congratulation for the day I was born and for being a mother.

However, since we live in the U.S., I can separate these two important celebrations! We celebrate Mother´s Day with my husband and daughter on the second Sunday in May and my birthday on May 10th. Yes…a sneaky way of getting two gifts!

To make it easy for my husband, I´m dropping him some subtle hints as to what this mamá would like. Since I´m a Walmart Mom, I´ve chose one affordable option and one not-so-affordable, but much more so since it´s from Walmart and they have an Everyday Low Price Guarantee, meaning that if you find a lower price on the same item Walmart will match it.

Fitness Gift Set for Under $30

Since I really need to get off my Facebook rear and work out, especially now that I´m looking at 40, and I just don´t have much time to get to the gym, I would love to try one of Jillian Michael´s fitness DVDs. The tank and the yoga pants are to feel good while getting ripped abs.

1.  Jillian Michael´s:  6 Week Six-Pack $8.96

2.  Danskin Now:  Women´s Dri-More Bootcut Pants $9.00

3.  Danskin Now:  Women´s Double Strap Yoga Tank $8.00

Picture-Perfect Gift Set for Under $200

I´m a blogger without a camera. I take all my pictures with my iPhone and it does a great job, but I would do much better with a dedicated point and shoot camera.  The digital frame is me finally admitting I´m never going to get my girl´s almost four years of life in pictures printed the old-fashioned way.  I give in to reality, bring on the digital frame into my digital life!

1.  Philips 7″ Digital Frame  $49 (In select stores until 5/7. Check your Walmart Local Ad)

2.  Nikon S4100 Camera with Bonus 4GB SD Card and case (Pink, to please my girl)  $147 (In select stores until 5/7)

What’s on your Mother’s Day wish list? Do you let your husband surprise you or do you throw not-so-subtle hints?

Disclosure:  We received  compensation as part of the Walmart Moms program to facilitate this post. As always, all stories and opinions are our own.

Photo by Paul and Jill

Yesterday we published Part 1 of this post with a list of some of the coolest Finds featuring iconic and classic Day of the Dead symbols such as calaveras and calacas.
Today we continue with the feast. Enjoy!

Chocolate Day of the Dead Skulls

One of the most traditional aspects of a Día de los Muertos celebration are the chocolate and sugar calaveras, or skulls, you get and give as gifts.  It´s usual to personalize it with the name of the person you´re giving it to.  It´s wonderful to walk into Mexican markets around these days and see stalls full of these sweet and colorful confections.  I found an Etsy shop by the name of 2gorditas that makes these skulls by hand out of yummy white chocolate and hand-paints them, making each one truly unique.  For $15 you get a gift box with 6 chocolate skulls to give away as treats, favors or to use as cupcake toppers.  Oh yeah, you can also indulge in them all by yourself!  ¡Se vale!

Día de los Muertos Sticker Book

Stickers make every kid happy.  This book has 25 vibrant stickers that celebrate Day of the Dead in English and Spanish.  It also introduces children to this traditional holiday and the festival atmosphere that accompanies it.  I’m also loving the $4.95 price tag on it.  You can find it on Amazon, via La Tiendita.

Muertos T-shirt for Dad

Have papá get in the Day of the Dead mood with this rocking t-shirt from the SleepyManatee Etsy shop.  He can do both Halloween and Muertos with this one and style it out.  This Find is available for $14 here.

Day of the Dead Crafts Book

I´m still  in search of my crafty bone (no pun intended!), but it seems to be hiding deep with in.  This book is perfect to at least inspire me to create Día de los Muertos inspired objects such as calacas, masks, skulls, altars and ofrendas (gifts) to place on the altars we make.  There are more than 24 projects that celebrate the festivity, making it a perfect starting point to gather your family around the theme.  It´s discounted at $13.95 in La Tiendita.

Las Flores de la Muerte

Frida Kahlo is one of the artists responsible for making the Day of the Dead celebration more widely known of and focusing on its mystical, colorful and joyous aspect.  This is a print from My Pink Turtle Studio that features a Frida and skulls wrapped in flower petals.  I had to include it as a find for it´s unique take and the gorgeous use of colors and patterns to bring this piece to life.  The print is an 8 x 10 reproduction of a folk art collage painting and will only cost you $15 to treasure it.  Go here to get it while they still have them.

Why did I not know about Latin Baby on-line boutique two years ago when friends and family were showering me with gifts for the upcoming arrival of our girl?  I would have been such an original if I´d set up my baby registry with them, a site that celebrates our hispanic culture and traditions.

My registry would have included these for sure:

• Del Sol Quilt–OK, I know they´re pricey, but so one-of-a-kind. I would have settled for one!

• Ellaroo Rebozo Wraps–the wrap we had was NOT this colorful or beautiful.

• Baby Tee basket–I would have sweetly demanded (that´s what you do when your pregnant and hormonal) the “Corazoncito” onesie for my Princesa.

• Green and Yellow Beenie set–a crocheted beenie with matching pair of booties.  Who cares if she was born in the middle of August in the dry Los Angeles heat?  She would have looked oh-so cute!  It’s all about the picture, anyway.

Back then I would have never thought of sending out bilingual baby shower invitations, but in retrospect the Latin Baby ones would have been a hit since my shower’s theme was Mexican toys.  Not to mention the Latinita/o baby cake topper!

Could this be inspiration enough to go for the second one?   Not quite.  But now I found a great place for my gift buying!

Latin Baby has been generous enough to offer you a special discount of 25% off everything in their store, excluding the baby quilts, from now until October 31st.  Get a head-start on your Holiday shopping with all the new seasonal products that are already available.  You know you want to be original and at the same time save.  Here’s your chance.
Use dicsount code: SB41009100 at checkout

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