The Bluebird Patch

    If you are thinking about getting a new furbaby for Christmas please come to Johns Creek Petsmart this Saturday from 11-3:30pm. My little bluebird and me will be there helping out Georgia SPCA with their dog adoptions. Love the kitty on this photo? This is our foster cat "Murphy". She is a doll! She can stay in that blanket all day and won't move an inch. If you are looking for an extremely lovable cat that is not a bit hyperactive and loves to snuggle with you all day...literally. Then look no further because you are going to love Murphy. For more adoptable pets please visit: http://www.georgiaspca.org

  To exceed, you must read! Page Turners Make Great Learners , Toys for Tots & Radio Disney will host "Story Time with Santa & Friends!" at Cumberland Mall on Saturday, December 7th from 3-5 p.m. outside across from The Cheesecake Factory. Page Turners will feature story time with the award winning family band featured on PBS stations across the country, Laughing Pizza!    Enjoy two hours of fun, laughter, games and prizes to celebrate the holidays! Jolly old St. Nick will make a special appearance and give away goodies. Do not worry about the chilly weather; the delicious hot chocolate will keep you warm. Tis the season for giving so bring an unwrapped gift or donate a new or gently used book to support children that are less fortunate. After the event, spend time with Santa making memories that last forever!  

  Shake a tail feather if you have a kitchen cabinet full of leaky, stained and mismatched food storage containers! How many of those containers do you know actually reduces bacteria or are BPA-free?  BPA, a chemical that has been used for more than 40 years in the manufacture of many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups, has been identified as an “endocrine disrupter”. What does that mean? It means that BPA is harmful to our bodies. Studies even suggest that it might play a role in breast cancer, prostate cancer, infertility, early puberty, obesity, diabetes, and ADD/ADHD. Storing food in BPA-Free containers is not just “a thing”, is a practical necessity for a happy and healthy life. Ozeri has a new food store containers that takes food storing to a whole new level. Ozeri INSTAVAC Green Earth Food Storage Container Set, is not only BPA-Free, but it has a new vacuum seal technology and very strong locking lids that h...

  Holiday Photos With Your Pets at Georgia SPCA - Sat, Dec 7 - noon to 4:00 pm. Professional photographer Frances Aguilar is volunteering her time and talent for this great event at the Georgia SPCA shelter. $10 donation for two 4x6 printed photos $15 for a CD with all photos taken $20 for both You can see more beautiful photos taken by Frances here: http://www.fcaphotography.com/ adopted-rescue-dogs/

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” ― W.T. Purkiser I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. I decided to take a day off from social media and focus on the one thing that I care the most, my family. Thanksgiving is all about slowing down and reflecting on all the blessings that has been given to us thought out the year.  This year we had a different approach and decided to have a stress-free, kid-friendly Thanksgiving. I simplified our traditional Thanksgiving menu, set the table with mason jars for a more Southern feel, and spent all day reconnecting and enjoying each other.  There are a lot of things to be thankful this year but the one thing I'm most grateful is you. I'm eternally grateful for all of you that read our blog and support our mission. It means the world to me to know there's people out there that believe, as human beings, we all have the potential to be ha...

  Save the date – Chick-a-Biddy is hosting a private Breakfast with Santa event on Sunday, December 8. Bring your little ones for a delicious breakfast that includes your choice of a breakfast item and a meet-and-greet with Santa along with a souvenir photo printed on-site for you to take home for only $25 per person. Breakfast items includes:  Ham and Cheese Quiche, Fruit Chicken Cheddar Biscuit, Home Fries  Challah French Toast, Honey Butter, Steen’s Cane Syrup, Bacon Chick-a-Biddy is the latest concept from Chef Shaun Doty and offers a variety of farm-fresh items including gluten-free fried chicken. If you’re able to attend, you can purchase your tickets in advance through info@chickabiddyatl.com . http://www.chickabiddyatl.com

    Catch Santa in the Act with 'I Caught Santa' Hey moms and dads here's a freebie you are going to love. For a very limited time 'iCaughtSanta.com' is letting you use their “I caught Santa” online software for FREE through December 10 th as a thank you for supporting them over the past 5 years. In addition, they're giving away an iPad Air and gift cards from Amazon, Visa, and Starbucks. Want Santa by the Christmas tree? Coming down the chimney? Eating milk and cookies? Sleeping on the sofa? Stealing a kiss from Mommy? Now you can have 'proof'. Use code SantaShare and be a hero to children by catching Santa "in the act." Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home. What an incredible keepsake will that photo be! www.icaughtsanta.com/ I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com . Regardless, I only r...

DEEP SLEEP MP3 As a busy mom who blogs on the side, I often tend to go to bed late at night, trying to catch up with housework and blogging duties. The problem is that when I go to bed, it takes me a long time to fall asleep. Don't you hate feeling very exhausted, yet your brain refuses to shut down? It happens to ma all the time so when Andrew Johnson sent me message to see if I wanted to review his Deep Sleep MP3 recording I immediately said yes! I need to fall asleep FAST! For the last 16 years he has been working with individuals and groups teaching relaxation and coping skills. In 1996, he trained in Clinical Hypnotherapy with the London College of Clinical Hypnosis. Andrew is at his happiest when he is teaching people why they should relax, how they can relax and why they should practice relaxation techniques. A good night’s sleep is essential for both your physical and mental health. However for many people this basic requirement for health and wellbeing d...

  Kids are addicted to ice cream and if you give them the chance to make their own they will jump right at it. The technology to make ice cream from home these days is absolutely amazing but there's something quite special about being able to make a delicious no-churn ice cream the old fashion way. Ice Cream Magic is the first, personal Ice Cream Maker for all ages! Moms can control the ingredients, from heavy cream to low fat cream, flavors – while the bowl size is the perfect size to keep portions in control. All you do to make it, is shake it! And in just 3 minutes, your kids can enjoy the soft ice cream they made themselves. Add sprinkles, fruits, any topping to make a perfectly fun treat that’s fun to make and eat with this great year-round snack-tivity! The Ice Cream Magic kit comes with an outer cone, a freezing bowl, a lid, and a swirl cap. There’s even a little measuring scoop and Recipe Guide. Fun anytime, it also makes a great Birthday Party activity and a ...

The Pillow that Lights Up! Do you have a kid that's scared of the dark or has sensory difficulties? Or do you have a daughter that loves anything that is ultra plush, and shiny? Well, if you said yes like me then you need a Bright Light Pillow.  Bright Light Pillows are the ultra plush, ultra fun pillows that light up in a rainbow of colors. The soft, magical glow of each design’s multi-colored LED lights make this pillow soothing enough for kids to fall asleep with and visually cool as room decor. With an easy-on switch,there’s even a built-in 15-minute auto shut-off. Bright Light Pillow's works for hundreds of hours and their LED lights are guaranteed not to burn out & emit no heat. Bright Star Pillows is the perfect gift for children who are staing at hospitals. They are soft, comfortable and bring so much happiness.  Bright Light Pillows are available in Starlight Square or Twinkling Star, and a special limited edition Beach Ball. Required 3 AA b...

This holiday season, Fernbank Museum of Natural History features several ways to celebrate with fun and unique events. Fernbank’s holiday programming includes the annual Winter Wonderland exhibition, a Winter Wonderland Celebration Day , Fernbank’s Holly Jolly Film Fest , Winter Wonderland evening viewing hours during Martinis & IMAX, and holiday shopping in the Museum Store. HOLIDAY EXHIBITION: On view from November 22, 2013 through January 5, 2014, the fourth annual Winter Wonderland exhibition includes more than 30 festive trees decorated by cultural partners to reflect traditions and holidays celebrated by cultures everywhere. Twinkling with lights, glimmering with color, and shining with a variety of cultural objects, Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World recognizes the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events that cultures recognize here and abroad. Cultures highlighted in the exhibition include cultures from North A...

You Can Spread Holiday Cheer While Helping Sick and Injured Children Through fuzzy ducks, Christmas parades and rides on Priscilla the Pink Pig, organizations from all over the metro area are working to support Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta this holiday season. Families in metro Atlanta can spread holiday cheer and celebrate in numerous ways, all while supporting Children’s. Proceeds from the holiday events, initiatives and promotions below will raise funds to care for the hundreds of thousands of sick and injured children each year in Georgia. 33 st Annual Children’s Christmas Parade   www.choa.org/parade Bundle up your family and join us for the parade at its new location in Midtown Atlanta from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sat., Dec. 7. Watch from the sidewalk or purchase reserved bleacher seats for $18 at www.choa.org/paradebleachers . Coverage of the parade will also be broadcast live on WSB-TV Channel 2 (ABC). “ All in for All Better” Campaign...

For the second year in a row, Atlanta-based space music composer Jonn Serrie will perform a live concert at Fernbank Science Center to mark the holiday season. The concert, titled “Upon a Midnight Clear,” features Serrie’s ethereal settings of holiday classics, accompanied by a star show on the Science Center’s Zeiss star projector. “ We were so tickled when Jonn agreed to come again this year!” says Fernbank Science Center Astronomer April Whitt. “Last year’s show was a big success, but getting an artist of Mr. Serrie’s stature to play at Fernbank isn’t a gimme.” Serrie, who calls Atlanta home, is one of today’s preeminent composers of music for planetaria as well as space-themed special events, having worked on projects for NASA, the U.S. Navy, Lucasfilm and CNN. Serrie’s December 6 th show headlines a series of special programs at Fernbank Science Center this December. The following Friday, December 13 th , will see a special set of planetarium showings to culminate...

Oh deer! There is no better place to have a jolly good time than Breakfast With Santa at Twelve Hotel Atlantic Station. We go every year and truly enjoy it.  This year Santa will be arriving early with his sleigh and Dancer & Prancer in tow! What better way to celebrate the season than gathering the family to enjoy a holiday feast with the big man himself.  Lobby will be serving a buffet breakfast with all your favorites! Sit on Santa's lap, tell him your Christmas wish list & take home a keepsake photo!  Lobby at Twelve, understands that young diners make up an important segment of the dine-out population.  During their holiday events they always set-up tables with crayons and coloring pages, crafts and face painting for your little ones.  This year the buffet menu will consist of:

Our friends at  Smilebox  have created the most wonderful Thanksgiving printable decor of word art, photo props, place cards and gratitude chains for everyone to download and print at home for free. You can personalize these printable pieces with your own text, color palettes, and more. Love it? Thanksgiving Quote Put the spirit of Thanksgiving on display. Personalize this sign with your family name, then print and frame. See coordinating free printables in our Party Decor category.    Thanksgiving Paper Chain Fill a chain with gratitude and start a thankful tradition. Pick a color scheme and personalize the links, then print, cut, and assemble. See our Party Decor category for more free printables. Thanksgiving Place Cards Bring thankfulness to the table. Choose a color scheme and photo option, then personalize cards with names and thanks. See the Party Decor category for more free printables. Thanksgivin...

Celebrations include a Reinvigorated Annual Pass and Holiday Exhibits, Recipes and Gift Ideas It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the World of Coca-Cola is full of ways to celebrate. Starting today, the Atlanta attraction kicks off the holiday season with holiday decorations and additions to the visitor experience. On Dec. 2, the World of Coca-Cola also will re-launch its annual pass with new benefits.                 “ Coca-Cola has long been a part of the holidays, from the 1930s when the Company commissioned Haddon Sundblom to illustrate Santa Claus, to the ways we spread cheer during the season today,” said Russell Jacobs, general manager of retail and attractions for The Coca-Cola Company. “It’s only fitting that the home of happiness be a place where people can celebrate the season and its history.” Holiday Lights Make Spirits Bright  Outside the Worldof Coca-Cola , P...

You are invited... Cabbage Patch Kids Celebrate their 35th Annual Appalachian Christmas There is no admission charge. Saturday, November 23rd  at BabyLand General Hospital  300 N.O.K. Drive, Cleveland, GA 30528 706-865-2171   www.cabbagepatchkids.com Free gifts for Children under 12 while supplies last Free Horse and Carriage Rides Christmas Carolers Prize Drawings Free Christmas Coloring Activities Costume Character appearances Have your photo made with Santa