Our Favorite Afternoon Snack + Printable Valentines!

Thank you to Cuties for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions written are mine alone.  #100daysofsunshine 

I don't know about the rest of you, but the afternoon munchies hit hard in our home. It's that time in the late afternoon when we've already had lunch and it isn't quite time for dinner, but Oaklyn and I just really need a snack that satisfies. The absolute perfect snack solution that won't spoil our dinner is Cuties! They are perfectly kid-sized and adult-sized!

Oaklyn is in a "I can do it myself" phase where she wants to be independent and do everything she's able to, on her own. There are definitely times when it's helpful, and others when it proves to be more difficult than beneficial. You know, like the times she wants to help make cookies and somehow flour ends up all over the floor... sigh. Luckily, Cuties are easy to peel and her little hands love being able to unwrap them. Not only are they easy to peel, but they are also easy to eat! Foods that involve a spoon, or any utensil for that matter, create quite the eating challenge for my little 2 year old. Cuties are sweet and seedless making them the perfect kid-friendly snack. Lucky for all of us, it is Cuties season and they are back in-store, ripe, and ready to eat!

Not only do Cuties make the perfect snack for your little ones, but they also make a for a great activity to pass some time! We love sitting outside in the sunshine and peeling several of them together. Oaklyn would honestly rather peel a Cutie than play with half her toys, ha! The other fun activity you can do with your kids and Cuties, is make Valentines! I personally don't think my child needs an ounce more of sugar on Valentine's Day, so I'm guessing other moms must feel the same way. For that reason, I think passing out Cuties make the perfect Valentines! Have your child help place a Cutie in a bag, let them choose some special festive ribbon, and then attach the Valentine card that I made! All you need to do is download the printable here and then print! I personally selected the option on my printer of 4 images per page but you can do one large Valentine, or even smaller with 8 images! Whatever you fancy ;) Have your child sign their name on the back, hole punch it, then attach to the ribbon. Now you have a festive Valentine for your child to give to all of their friends!

February 16th is "Random Acts of Kindness Day" and to coincide with it, Cuties created their 100 Days of Sunshine Campaign! This campaign is meant to inspire others to spread sunshine within their communities and families. True happiness can be felt when you lose yourself in serving others and Cuties wants everyone to feel that joy and love. We will be taking our Cuties Valentines to local service men and women this year!

So, whether you need a snack on the go, a Valentine for your kid to bring to school, a snack in between meals, a tasty gift to bring to a friend or neighbor, or a side for a meal, Cuties are the perfect healthy and tasty option!

Does your family love Cuties as much as we do? Head over to buy a bag today!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Tasty Tuesday: Decadent Pumpkin Pie Bites

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SweetenTheSeason #CollectiveBias

I feel like I'm busier than ever these days.

Between taking care of Oaklyn, taking care of myself, making sure the house isn't a total mess, washing bottles constantly, trying to spend some alone time with my husband, making dinner, blogging full time, getting grocery shopping done, entertaining Oaklyn, and trying to do a few things for myself here and there I feel like I never have time to just sit and relax anymore. 

Don't ask me the last time I turned on the TV. It feels like years ago!

That being said, I've been looking for ways to simplify my life in any way possible.

I LOVE to cook and bake.

I love making treats and providing people with a smile because I made them something. 

In high school I was constantly spending hours making cupcakes, cookies, and all forms of other treats just so I could bring them to my friends the next day. 

Now, I use all my free time catching up on blog posts and maybe curling my hair? ha.

Since I still love to make treats, I've just decided I'm going to simplify my recipes so I can still fulfill that hobby of mine.

I was SO excited to see the Holiday Bake Center at our local Walmart.

That is an indicator that the Holiday season is HERE!

Aka, Baking season!

I immediately had a million ideas of what treats I should make for all my friends but all of those recipes required hours of my time and money that I just don't have.

When I saw the Jell-O no bake pumpkin pie for a price that can't be beat I knew I just had to incorporate it.

I then found some Baker's chocolate and the thought of a thick layer of ganache sounded heavenly.

Then I saw the Kraft caramel bits! Perfect! Everything is better with caramel.
I couldn't believe that I was able to get everything I needed for a yummy treat for under $10!
I was so excited that I found products in the Holiday Bake Center for a budget friendly price and thought of a recipe that will require little time and effort. 

I got so excited while making my treats and loved the way they turned out so we decided to bring them over to Hunter's little sister's apartment and give them to her and all her friends with little notes attached.

They loved them and I'm so happy we were able to brighten their night.

Ingredients:

1 package Jell-O no bake pumpkin pie mix (plus all ingredients it calls for)

1 Baker's semi-sweet chocolate bar

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1 package Kraft caramel bits

12 cupcake liners

cupcake tin

12 plastic baggies

12 pieces of ribbon

12 "thankful" printables

Directions:

1) Prepare crust and pumpkin pie filling according to package

2) line cupcake tin with liners of your choice

3) scoop 1 tbsp crust into bottom of cupcake liner

4) bring 1/3 cup whipping cream to a boil

5) in the meantime chop chocolate bar into super fine pieces then add to medium bowl

6) once whipping cream is boiling pour over chocolate and stir until combined.

7) spoon about 1 tbsp ganache on top of crust

8) melt Kraft caramel bits by double boiling over medium heat

9) spoon 1 tbsp. caramel on top of ganache

10) spoon pumpkin pie filling over that then refrigerate for a few hours and done!

See how easy and quick that is? Just whip, melt, and spoon and you have yourself a yummy holiday treat!

If you are serving your treats at a party let them thaw out a little before serving so the caramel can become more chewy and less hard from the fridge.

If you are delivering your treats to friends and family simply remove the treats from the pan and stick them in a plastic baggie. Tie the top with a piece of ribbon and attach the "thankful" printable and you're ready to deliver!

The link to the free printable can be found right here! Just download, print, and cut them out. I changed my printer options to 2 copies per page to print 8 instead of 4 on one page.

I hope you have as much fun with these treats as we did!

I would love to hear what your favorite holiday treat is!

Let me know in the comments!

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On October First

Oaklyn and I had zero errands to run today.

It was pretty great being able to just have a fun spontaneous day with my best little girl friend.

She woke up from her nap in the best mood so we took a little trip to the park.

We played on the swings, fed the ducks, had a photo shoot, and a little picnic of puffs, granola bars, and bananas. 

I love my little partner in crime, she sure makes this life of mine 10 times more fun!

Before Oaklyn woke up from her nap today I was trying to make a "Fall To Do List" of all the fun things we should do as a family.

Now that we have a child, I really want to make the best memories as a family.

Having a baby is also the best because you have an excuse to go on all the kid rides without feeling like a total dork ;)

I figured I would share the list with all of you as well :)

For printable click here

What are your plans this fall?

I would love to add on to our list! 

My shirt: Target //My Boots: Reflection // My leggings: Zella // Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson

Oaklyn's Outfit: Carters // Oaklyn's bow: Target // Oaklyn's teething necklace: amber beads

Happy October Friends!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Welcome Fall! +3 free prints!

Happy Fall Friends!

I love love love this time of year!

Last week felt a whole lot more like fall than this week but there is still a chill in the air at night that I am loving!

Summer is always a blast, but by the time fall rolls around I get so excited!

The holiday season is coming, the leaves are changing, baking every day is fully acceptable, candles burning throughout the day is so cozy, and not to mention boots and sweaters!

Fall in Utah is SO awesome!

I love seeing the leaves change.

The Fall colors are already visible in the mountains and I'm just itching to get our family photos done!

Yay! Time to start thinking about Christmas card pictures!

All my Fall decor is hung and I just love how cozy it feels in our home.

I purchased a few new things this year cause guys, Target's dollar section is killin it!

But I also added a few cute fall prints!

What is your favorite part about Fall?

What are your favorite autumn traditions?

Do you have fall decor? I wanna see!!

Free prints

Here, Here, and Here!

Happy decorating!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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