***CLOSED***Bedtime Songs and a Giveaway

This giveaway is closed and the winner is Lacy Elbaba!!! Yay! Contact me in the next 48 hours and I'll be sure to get your prize to you!

This post is sponsored by the Emilina Ballerina Etsy Shop

Bedtime is a special time around the Hall home.

Each of my kids and I have our own little routine.

Both involve brushing teeth, reading stories, saying prayers, hugs and kisses, and bedtime songs.

But bedtime songs are definitely the highlight.

I sing Etta James and Sinatra with Ellie-girl. She has great taste. We sit in the rocking chair across from her crib, and sing until she finally falls asleep "at last". (See what I did there?)

As for Landon, he's a bit more traditional and our routine is a bit closer to my heart. There were nights, back before my husband worked a normal 9-5, back before Ellie was a part of our family, where it was just me and Landon at home each night. It was just an empty house, a young, scared mommy, a sweet little boy, and that once special song. Thinking of those nights that seem like yesterday, yet a million years ago, is very bitter sweet for me.

For as long as Landon has been alive, I always sing him "the sunshine song" (You Are My Sunshine), each night before he goes to sleep.

And it's our little moment. And sometimes he sings along with me. And sometimes he just holds tight to my neck. And sometimes he asks me to sing it again. And I do.

But mostly, it's just the song.

Well, it's more than just a song.

Because one day, he won't ask me to sing him "the sunshine song" anymore. He'll be too cool for that.

Because one day, he will grow up.

And to him, the sunshine song will just be what we used to sing before bed.

But to me, it will be more.

It will be little hands, and teddy bears, and Batman pajamas, and Lightening McQueen pillow cases, and bright blue eyes, and silly grins, and "k's" that sound like "t's". The sunshine song means my boy is just that, a boy. And to think that he won't be a boy forever is a scary realization for a mommy.

For the last four-plus years, I've gone from pacing with him across the floor at midnight to holding him in my arms, to him sitting up on my lap, to him laying in his bed. But one thing that has remained the same is the sunshine song. That hasn't changed. Not yet.

For that reason, I adore this piece. Because when it's only just a song to him, I will have something reminding me how much more it really is.

Shirt: Cotton On, Jeans: Old Navy, Shoes: Target, Cardigan: TJ Maxx, Watch: Kohls, Earrings: Target, Necklace: Emilina Ballerina Etsy Shop 

It's handmade, and my favorite Etsy shop, Emilina Ballerina, not only made a piece to grace my neck, but a matching necklace for one of you to win!

This necklace is delicate and lovely, and the perfect length! And not only that, but you all know how I feel about presentation, and the box and wrapping is half the beauty.

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is:
1. Leave a comment stating you'd like to win
2. Like Emilina Ballerina's Facebook Page

An additional entry may be made by doing one or both of the following (just be sure to leave another comment telling me you've done so, so that I can count it for an extra entry):
1. Favor Emilina Ballerina's Etsy Shop
2. Share this post on your Facebook page

I'll announce the winner and close this giveaway on Friday, May 31st, 2013.
-L