Friday, April 8, 2011

Fashion Friday: Lollitops

It is officially spring and look at these adorable hats that were featured on BabySteals.com this week. I wasn't quick enough to snag one but I sure am thinking about ordering one for my little girl. Click on this link to see how this hat turns into a purse. http://www.lollitopsusa.com/

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Thankful Thursday: Bargain Shopping

I am thankful for coupons and goodwill and second hand kids clothing stores... but... I am really thankful for those online bargain shops. For example:

And lets not forget Groupon.com or daily deals on swagbucks, but those sites aren't specific for moms and toddlers and babies.

These are some of the bargain sites I could find. They update daily (or twice daily!) with products that are fabulous. Please let me know if you know of any other because I am sure there are more and I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEM!!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wild Wednesday: Choking Hazards

It is wild the things that kids can choke on. It is so hard to keep all of these little hazards out of their reach. I *thankfully* have never had a serious choking scare... most of ours come from spaghetti that never got chewed and you have to pull the whole thing out of their throat as they are trying to swallow it.

Being that my girls are almost 2 and 4, we are starting to get past that choking hazard age with household items. They both know not to put money, dice, paperclips, keys, marbles, jacks, barbie shoes, etc. into their mouths.

I know we aren't completely safe- we still need to remember to cut up their food, make sure they don't eat too fast, and watch them closely as they inhale popcorn, hot dogs, and grapes.

What kind of WILD things have your kids choked on? Or swallowed? Or you found in their mouths?

Just for fun- here is a picture of my 4 year old with a serious choking hazard... dice... "gold pirate dice" to be exact.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Trusting Tuesdays: Car Seat Pictures

http://dailymomtra.com/2011/03/30/the-picture-guide-to-car-seat-safety/

I have blogged a lot about car seats and the American Academy of Pediatrics and laws and all that, but this past week Daily Momtra posted an amazing post about what your child should look like when in a car seat.

This post is so much easier to use when teaching yourself or others how to have your child in a car seat. Take a look at the full post- but here is a little sample of the pictures she uses to show you the difference between safe and unsafe. The picture on the left, if done when kids are a little older- is how they get their arms out of the car seat. It is important to make sure it is positioned properly. Now stop reading this blog and click on the link!!

Chest Clip: The name is self-explanatory, so I thought. It belongs between armpit and nipple

Monday, April 4, 2011

Mommy Monday: Obsessions

Occasionally we get OBSESSED about things as moms.

Diaper bag obsessions- I think more than 6 is a pretty good obsession. If you know the name skip hop, Fleurville, ju-ju-be, petunia pickle bottom, JJ Cole, Kalencom, OiOi, or Dad Gear to name a few, then you might be obsessed.

Or obsessed with baby carriers- Mei Tei, Becco, Ergo, Didymos, Elleville, Kabuki, Hotslings, Maya wrap, moby wrap.

Well I think this picture shows us a new level of obsession- Cloth Diapers-

Found HERE

I wonder if these are handmade? Store bought? and how long did it take to collect all these?

I really don't know who or where this picture came from, it was just floating around Facebook the other day and I snagged it. If you know the source---- please comment because I would LOVE to find out how these were accumulated!

What are some of your obsessions? Baby shoes? Pacifiers? Bottles? Onesies? Burp cloths?

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Special Guest Sunday: Raising Arizona Kids Magazine

I frequently read this magazine. I usually read it online though. First reason I read it online is because I am cheap. I don't have a subscription. Sorry to RAK- but I don't want to fork out the money for something I will read once and then it will clutter my house and finally get to the recycle bin.

However, I do read it online because I love their articles, I love their bloggers, and I love that they always post fun things to do in the Phoenix area. Fun, CHEAP things. Please re-read the first 3 sentences if you already forgot how cheap I am.

Looking at one of their blogger's blogs- Brittney Walker- she is a mom of 3 boys and she has some awesome "how to" articles. Here is a copy of my favorite one. In fact, I think this is a project for this lazy Sunday. What do you think?

How-To’s Day: Recycled “swirly” crayons

I hate throwing away crayons. Even half a crayon. Even one-third of a crayon. But when I pulled down the kids’ bucket of crayons the other day to find it full of tiny crayon nubs and only two or three full sized crayons I knew it was time to let them go. So, inspired by another friend of mine, the kids and I made what they dubbed “swirly crayons”. Here is how you can put your crayon nubs to good use too.

Materials:
A muffin tin
Cupcake papers
Broken crayons

Step 1: Preheat your oven to about 200-250 degrees and peel all paper off of the crayons.

Step 2: Line muffin tin with papers.

Step 3: Break crayons down into easily meltable sizes.

Step 4: Put the tin full of crayons in the oven and watch it. The crayons will look like they are just starting to melt for quite a while until they are quite suddenly crayon soup. Pull them out before they are over-melted.