Category Archives: Uncategorized

Happy Birthday, Little Guy!

Posted on by
Reply

My little guy turned two this week…Its exciting to see him grow into such a funny, social, kind, and smart little boy, but it is sad to think that the day is coming that he won’t snuggle with me like a baby anymore.  

Little Guy’s Favorites (and not so favorites):

Favorite Toys: Big Elmo doll (which after being vomited on and peed on – twice – had to go in the trash), Duplo LEGOs, Imaginext Bat Cave, Toy Story figurines

Favorite TV Shows and Movies: Elmo’s World, Chuggington, Toy Story, Cars

Favorite Things to Do: Whatever his brother is doing. Take a sh-ow!-wah.

Ambition in Life: To go to school and wear a “pack pack”.

Favorite Food: fish, crab, anything sweet

Favorite Book: Elephant and Piggie books (Mo Willems), Elmo books, Llama Llama books

Least Favorite Thing to Do: Sleep in past 6 AM.

Hardest Accomplishment: Giving up his ba-ba of milk for a cup of milk with a straw.  (You’d have thought we were asking him for the world.)

Favorite Birthday “Gift”: A pack of Huggies Little Movers Slip-On diapers that was not a gift, but might as well have been.   His response?  ”Yay!!!! (claps hands). RAWR! (For the tiger – Tigger – on the front).

Happy birthday, Little Guy!  We love you so much!

The Value of Pirate Money

Posted on by
Reply
Image from PortableAntiquities

A recent interaction with my three-year-old started like this:

Buddy: Mommy, I really want to buy some new cars.  I want Taco Mater and Flo.

Me: Well, you need to earn some money to buy those things.

Buddy: I have GOLD, mom!  (He rushed to a pirate’s booty bag he brought home from school and produces 3 gold coins.)

Me: Honey, that is pirate’s gold.  We need American money to shop at stores around here.

Buddy: Nah.  I’d like to use my pirate’s gold.

————————————————————————————————-

The rest of the day, Buddy was being a bit of a terror.  When my husband came home, I relayed to him the pirate’s money conversation.  In his infinite wisdom, he said, “Well, maybe that will work as an incentive.  Nothing else seems to.  Let’s see if he will behave and help out to earn money.”

We decided to implement my husband’s strategy after Buddy’s nap.  As a result we had a quiet dinner and a cleaning spree in the playroom.  Total out-of-pocket cost?  Three cents.  Yep, you heard that right.  (Only 3 more years of chores until he can afford his cars.)

Note: We helped him buy his cars a few weeks after he had earned “money” by exhibiting good behavior and responsibility.  We didn’t actually expect our child to earn the $12 needed to purchase these cars!  However, the concrete reward of money works for now, and we will play along.  Who doesn’t want to collect a pirate’s booty?

 

Taking the Gross out of Bath Toys {Nuby Review}

Posted on by
5

Last week we threw out all of the bath squirt toys.  Want to know the big secret?

I felt relieved – like a weight was lifted from me when those annoying little squirters went in the trash.

The boys are insistent that they have all of their bath toys with them when they take in the bath or shower.  Since the boys share well and the toys distract from the parts of the shower they don’t like (mainly washing their hair), I generally let them make their own choices about what to bring into the bath.  I always regret this decision, though, because it means I spend five minutes post bath squeezing the water out of the squirt toys to try to prevent mold growth…(which, by the way, I think is an impossible cause.)

This is why I love Nuby’s Waterfall Turtle for the bath.  The turtle conveniently floats in the tub, serving as a catch all for other small toys.  The hard plastic makes it easy to clean and less likely that mold would develop.

When the toy is lifted up in the air, water gently streams from the holes on the turtle’s shell. My boys find this ridiculously entertaining and will fill and empty the turtle dozens of times each bath.  However, the controlled flow of the waterfall makes for minimal mess from splashing water – a big plus in this momma’s book.

The Nuby Waterfall Turtle is available for $6.99 on Amazon.  Don’t forget to join me next Tuesday, February 19 at 9 PM EST at the #NubyComfort twitter party.  We’ll talk about ways Nuby products can comfort your little one, while giving you chances to win Walmart gift cards and Nuby prize packs.  RSVP here to let us know you are planning to join us!

 

Dr. Google is Not My Friend

Posted on by
1

Within 10 minutes of staring at my computer screen, I had diagnosed myself with advanced stage lung cancer and was making mental plans to ensure the financial security for my young family after I was gone.  I ran through a list of all the things I would never get to do.  I was freaked out.

What started my craziness?  A pea-sized lump that magically appeared on my sternum before Christmas and never went away.  At first I thought maybe it was a pimple…or a scar…or a mole starting to form.

But a month later…it was still here.  I tried to resist the urge to Google “lump sternum” or “pea-sized lump chest”…but curiosity got the best of me.

Next thing I know, I am knee deep in case studies, medical papers, and the worst of all Dr. Google has to offer – medical discussion boards. Symptom checkers, personal stories, and opinionated speculation from Internet users means that there is a lot of misinformation to wade through to find information that is even minimally useful.

But the end of my consult with Dr. Google, I had no more answers and a lot more anxiety.

Oh and that lump? Two minutes in the doctor’s office and I now know it is a benign cyst. I should have just gone to see my real doctor first.

My resolution to myself this year is going to be to stop asking Dr. Google for help when I am clueless on a medical topic (and instead just use him when I am looking for clarifying a confirmed diagnosis). Care to join me?

 

 


There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere {Book Review}

Posted on by
Reply

Recently, it seems as though my three-year-old has become quite interested in dinosaurs. However, on a recent trip to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C., Buddy made sure to inform me he was only interested in seeing dinosaur bones, and would like to skip visiting with any dinosaurs with “skin.” Me too, Buddy, me too – those realistic displays can be freaky and gruesome sometimes.


Based on our museum trip, I was a bit unsure as to how he would react to the book, There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere!: A Rhyming Romp Through Dinosaur History by Howard Temperley, given the dinosaurs in the book are illustrated by Michael Kline with – gasp – skin! I’m excited to report that this book, published by KWS Press, has been the literary hit of the holiday season in our house. Both boys love the cartoony, humorous, and somewhat unexpected illustrations (a Styracosaurus on a bathroom scale and a Tyrannosaurus Rex in purple high tops?).

The poetry in the book is catchy and informative – with detailed facts that would challenge any pint-sized dinosaur enthusiast.  For example, did you know the Ankylosaurus “has a leathery hide, with horny spikes along the side?” or that the Brachiosaurus was “huge of body, small of brain, a living walking mobile crane”?  Your kids will love learning about dinosaurs, fossils, and what the world was like in the time of the dinosaurs, and you’ll love that the book has enough visual interest that your kids will be able to browse the pictures themselves while you are cooking dinner or trying to get them to stay in bed past 5 AM.

How to Make a Dog Silhouette Pillow

Posted on by
1

Shopping for my sister is no easy task.  As a single woman with a stable job, she is in the position to treat herself to most of her “wants.”  For the holidays this year, I wanted to give her something special.  And since her sidekick is a beloved, spunky chihuahua named  Bentley, I was looking for something that showcased his prominent position in her life.

I have been teaching myself to sew over the last few months and wanted to make her a pillow to use as an accent in her living room.  She had been complaining for months that her room was too neutral, even though she had a few deep purple accents.  Since she is a young, single woman, I wanted to combine function with a bit of youthful quirkiness.

I first sewed a quick envelope pillow from purple fabric to fit one of the 20″ by 20″ pillow inserts I had picked up at IKEA (These inserts are so soft, and at approximately $5.99 a piece, they are affordable, too!).

I then downloaded a chihuahua shape (#3322) from the Silhouette Online Store and cut it with my Cameo on white t-shirt vinyl I bought from Pick Your Plum, keeping in mind that iron-on vinyl will cut in reverse. This vinyl was super easy to use.  With a towel as a barrier, I ironed on the shape, applying the heat for 20 seconds at a time.  I peeled away the plastic and voila, the pillow was done!  (Note: I followed a great tutorial for iron-on vinyl at Sew Easy Being Green. If you are new to this type of vinyl, I certainly suggest visiting her post!). The particular vinyl from Pick Your Plum is soft and flexes well with regular pillow use, making for a functional and fashionable lounging experience.

My sister (and Bentley) loved the pillow, and I loved giving her something handmade.

 

Top Posts of 2012

Posted on by
Reply

As we end the year, I want to thank each of you for visiting with us.  I blog because I love to write, socialize, and share – but blogging is a lot more rewarding with all of the support I get from you all.

2012 was a year that certainly involved a lot of “diapers”, two “dazed” parents, and lots of enjoyment of our little “knights”.  I thought I’d do a review post to share with you the Top 10 most visited (non-giveaway) posts on our site this year.  Hope you find some interesting posts that you might have missed!

DIY home decor projects:

How to Make a Pallet Potting Bench

How to Make a Table from a Suitcase

How to Make a PBK Beach Banner

How to Make a Monkey First Book End

How to Make a Stitched Mason Jar Wall Art

Party Ideas:

Festive Fire Truck Party Foods

Fire Truck Party Activity Stations

Fire Truck Birthday Party

Fire Truck Party Finale

Parenting:

We Can’t All Be Super Mom

 

Gluten Free for the Holidays {Udi’s Review}

Posted on by
1

Eating gluten free (or entertaining gluten-free guests) can be difficult during the holidays. Trays of appetizers and desserts fill tables tempting those of us trying to reduce our gluten intake.

One of my go-to, kid-friendly holiday recipes is something I call a “Holiday Pizza.”  It is a spin off of a recipe my post-college roommate used to make for parties (which she called Summer Pizza).  My roommate was a great cook and was always experimenting with different combinations of ingredients.  I, on the other hand, counted a meal as successful if I did not burn the kitchen down.  I enjoyed her Summer Pizza recipe because it was easy enough for even a hopeless chef like me to make.

To make a Holiday Pizza, start with a Udi’s Pizza Crust.

1. Bake the crust without any toppings until it gets a bit crisp, like a flatbread (about 7 minutes).

2. In a bowl, mix a container of Philadelphia brand cream cheese with a half packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix.

3. Spread the cream cheese/ranch mix onto the Udi’s pizza crust.

3. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar cheese onto the pizza and then add vegetables. We like adding broccoli, cauliflower, shredded carrots, and other raw veggies to our pizza.  On the night we made this pizza, we only used broccoli since we knew the boys would eat a broccoli-covered pizza.

 

My final pizza is a little short on the broccoli, mainly because the kids started snacking on it before I made the pizza.  I began to protest and then realized it seemed a bit silly to ask my kids to stop eating broccoli because I needed a picture for my blog.  So, when you make your Holiday Pizza, I recommend adding A LOT more veggies.  Heap them on!

4. Slice the pizza into “squares” and enjoy it as a yummy appetizer!

 

DIY Upholstered Headboard {Tutorial}

Posted on by
15

For months I have been eyeing beautiful upholstered headboards in catalogs dreaming of one for our new king-sized bed…and then I check the price tags and reality sets in.  Really?  A thousand dollars for some fabric, cushioning, and wood?  That is just not in this girl’s budget.

I decided I could probably make my own upholstered headboard.  And make one I did!

I first measured the width of my bed and decided how high I wanted the headboard to go in the back.  I then trucked on over to Home Depot and had the trusty lumber guy cut a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood to size.

Back home, I prepared my materials.

1. I laid out my freshly-ironed fabric – design down (My choice: this 54” Wide Premier Prints Chipper Slub Charcoal Fabric).  The King Headboard used 3 yards of fabric, with plenty left over to make 2 throw pillows.

2. I laid down some quilt batting next, centered on the fabric.

3. I then stacked the foam on top of the batting.  My money-saving trick: Upholstery foam can be EXPENSIVE.  Instead I used a Carpenter Memory Foam Twin XL Mattress Topper.  Apparently no one buys these in the Twin X-Long bed size, because they are CHEAP on Amazon.  It is just the right size to fit across the back of a King headboard, though the foam will not go all the way to the floor.  (That was okay with me, as I didn’t see the need for foam covering the plywood UNDER the bed.)

4. Once all of these were laid out, I put the plywood on top.  I stretched the batting, foam, and fabric over the edges of the plywood, and used my staple gun to secure all three layers to the plywood.  Stretch. Staple. Repeat. (Times 1000).

This project seriously took less than a half-hour start to finish…and it has had a HUGE visual impact on the look of my room. I love inexpensive, easy home projects.  If you have a staple gun and the materials, you can make it yourself.

Anyone else here in the market for a new headboard?  Next on my list – some cute throw pillows for the bed!

How to Clean a Chalkboard Wall

Posted on by
Reply

Last year we painted one of the playroom walls with chalkboard paint.  The kids love to draw all over it.

But, if you have ever tried to clean a chalkboard wall with a regular chalkboard eraser, you know that it is a not-so-effective, dusty experience:

Who wants to wipe down their walls with a damp cloth each time they need to clean the chalkboard?  That can’t be good for the drywall underneath.  My trick?  Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove chalk marks from your chalkboard.

Much better, eh?  And much less dusty, I promise.