First Time Mom and Losing It

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


One of my favorite memories growing up was the time of La Merienda with my mom. La Merienda is a time of day where you sit back and relax with family while you have a snack or a sweet treat, play a game together or just sit down and talk. Our La Merienda moment was always playing Loteria (Bingo!) We didn't play with money or prizes, we played with candy. It was a fun time for me because it gave my mom and I one on one time and we got to talk about our days together. My mom loves play Loteria because it reminds her of her childhood in Puerto Rico.

Since I had such a great childhood I always love to include my daughter in things my mom and I did when I was younger. I wanted her to have fun playing Loteria with my mom and I so I created Loteria Cards and Loteria Numbers that were big enough and easy enough for her to play with. I made up some Loteria cards with numbers that ranged from one to thirty and letters that ranged from A to C. Then I went to my local Walmart to get some cardstock, wooden circles, a bag of M&M'®s Fun Size Variety Mix for the Loteria markers, and a bag of Fun Size TWIX®, SNICKERS®, M&M’s® Milk Chocolate and M&M’s® Peanut for the bingo currency.


To make the toddler Loteria print out the following pages:

• Loteria Cards 1
• Loteria Cards 2
• Loteria Numbers

Cut out all of the Loteria cards and all of the Loteria numbers. I used a circle cutter to cut out the Loteria numbers. If you are going to be using the Loteria cards over and over I suggest you laminate them.


To make the Loteria numbers paint the wooden circles with a layer of modge podge. Place a Loteria number on top and then paint over with another layer of modge podge. Let it dry completely. Put all of the number circles in a little drawstring bag.


To play the game: Give each player 4 fun size bags of chocolate and 2 fun size bags of M&M's®. Have each player purchase and pick their cards using the bags of chocolate. Take turns calling out the numbers. Use the M&M's® to mark off any of your numbers that were called out. The first one to get Loteria across, diagonally or vertically yells Loteria and wins the candy in the pot.




What Sweet Moments do you have growing up that you have shared with your children? 

I don't eat much candy anymore but my mom being a kid at heart, loves it. My mom works hard and walks a lot so she can eat all the candy she wants while still staying in shape. Every time she babysits and I go out, I ask her if she needs anything from outside and every single time she will say, "Bring me some candy." :)

I wanted to gift her with something new so I sent her a bag of INSTACANDI in the mail. INSTACANDI is a cute candy mailing service where they will send the person of your choice a bag full of a variety of candy. They have so many different themes to choose from:

• Sweet Treats - Whether it is a thank you, a thinking of you, or just an I love you - This whimsical package of Sweet Treats will bring a smile to anyone's face.
• Birthday Bits - This bag of Birthday Bits will be sure to make the Birthday Boy or Gal have a great day.
• Thankful Things - Show you are thankful.  
• Happy Candiversary - Perfect for any anniversary. 
• I Heart You - All the candy in this bag sends a delicious message to your sweet heart. 
• Sorry Sweets - Say you are sorry with candy. 
• Congrats Candi - When congratulations are in order.
• Get Well Goodies - Make someone feel better. 
• Mindful Mix - This bag of healthy goodies is sure to please!
• Mommy Morsels - Show mom you care with this tasty goodie bag filled with candy she will never forget.
• Candi For Business - INSTACANDI for BUSINESS is the coolest way to show that you care about your customers.