It's Here! Ultimate Blog Party 2013!

No. It's just not possible. How in the world did an entire year pass by and we find ourselves participating in the Ultimate Blog Party once again? Where does the time go?

As what has turned into an annual event over here, the girls and I are excited to get in on the fun and excitement that only a massive virtual party can bring. Hey, who wouldn't be a little pumped up about a hip and happening gathering that you can attend in your sweats or pj's?

Having participated in UBP in 2010, 2011 and 2012, we thought we'd try something a little different this year and act like proper hostesses.

Please do come in. Can I take your coat? Get you a beverage? How about a cupcake? Go ahead and take two, they're Carrot Cupcakes, so that means they're totally healthy for you, right?

You might want to hurry, though. I'm just saying that with my kids invited to the party, it only takes glancing away once and you might find them both covered in frosting next to an empty plate.

If you aren't here for the Ultimate Blog Party and are wondering what in the world I'm talking about, take my word for it that I'm not just rambling incoherently. The amazing ladies behind 5 Minutes for Mom throw an annual bash (this is number seven!) that continues to grow each year that somehow manages to take the vast hugeness that is the blogosphere and shrink it down into something fun, unique and personal.

By introducing bloggers from all ends of the spectrum to each other, it makes it possible to jump right in and meet new writers from all corners of the earth. In the past three years that we've participated in UBP, I have continued to be amazed at the blogs that I've visited, the people that I've chatted with, and just how much our week was brightened by having new and old friends stop by and comment. On that note...

If you are here for the Ultimate Blog Party, welcome to Thanks, Mail Carrier! The girls and I are glad that you stopped by and we hope that you're having a great time at this unique event. If you feel like entering a giveaway or two or 20 while you're here, please feel free! We do like to give stuff away around here, there's something so satisfying about telling someone that they're a winner. Who doesn't like to hear that?

But even if you don't enter, please do leave a comment! We truly do make our way around to every single visitor's party as soon as possible, so of course we want to know that you stopped by!

You named your blog Thanks, Mail Carrier?

Indeed I did. Although my kids might have a slightly skewed view as to what is "normal" for a mail carrier to deliver on any given day, it's still just as exciting to hear the familiar vrooom of a vehicle coming down our block. It doesn't matter if it's USPS, UPS, or FedEx, you'll still find us peering out the window to try to catch a first glimpse at what might arrive. Who doesn't love getting the mail?

And you are...?

Why, hello! I'm Xenia (pronounced Za-knee-a), a stay-at-home-mom with a background in journalism and a degree in elementary education. When I'm not writing my next review, I'm hanging out with my kiddos, known here on the blog as Big Sister E and Little Sister B.

My 6-year-old, Big Sister E, is intelligent, caring, creative, inventive, beautiful, extremely stubborn and is thrilled every day to attend kindergarten. She loves books, games, arts & crafts, being adored by her sister and my baked nachos.

Then there's my 4-year-old, Little Sister B. From birth she has been sweet, happy, independent, loud, bull-headed, and my funny little comedienne. She likes giving her sister big hugs, pretending with play food, princesses, preschool, making new friends everywhere she goes and winning. Doesn't matter at what, as long as she wins. She's a crazy one, that girl, but her energy and enthusiasm for life never cease to inspire me.

Together, the three of us (and Daddy too, every now and again) have been reviewing products and sites from all across the spectrum since 2009. From apparel to jewelry to food to household items to music to shoes to toys to gear to technology... to everything in between — we've worked hard but have also enjoyed doing it more than I ever would have guessed.

But while blogging has introduced me to opportunities, experiences and travels that I never would have expected or thought possible, none of it compares to the people that I've met and the friendships that I've made over the years.

This community may be bigger than I can imagine and growing by the day, but I am so grateful and glad to be a part of it with all of you. If you're a hugger, I've got one here for you... if not, hey, that's okay, too. High five!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't be a stranger, come back and visit anytime, we're always happy to have people stop over. Now, go enjoy the rest of the party and we'll be sure to say hello when we come stop by your place!