GAM '09---March Goal

Okay, this is my party, so I can change the rules if I want to and I've decided that if you suck at achieving one goal, you can switch during the month without telling anyone.

How's that for cheating?

Truthfully, I just don't want to have to tell you that I did not once do yoga during the whole month of February. I have a whole myriad of excuses, including the ever popular, I just didn't around to it (but really, I just didn't get around to it), but I won't share all of them here with you. You're welcome.

Instead, I will give you my new (and accomplished!) goal that I just made up tonight so that I could say I did something productive during the month of February........

The past couple of weeks have been incredibly trying (hence the vent post about discipline). It seems Jakson is determined to end year two with a bang. As a result, I have spent a lot of time sitting in his doorway telling him to Go.to.sleep!! over and over. But tonight he went to bed at bedtime instead of four hours later!! I had to take a picture to document the occasion. Crossing my fingers that he's turning over a new leaf.

My revised February GAM goal: I will not sell Jakson to the circus.

Check.

MARCH GAM
I am so incredibly excited about my March goal-and it has nothing to do with exercise. Exercise is so overrated.

Goal: Set up learning activities for Jakson and spend at least one hour each day in "school."

During my research for the Lesson Plans site, I've come across a lot of really great websites with ideas for teaching toddlers. But yesterday, I came across the mecca of them all, Tot School.This mom has created Tot School for her sons and provides you with all of the resources to start your own!! I was so motivated by her ideas that I ordered some trays from Oriental Trading Company (read about using trays here) and started making lists of all of the activities that I want to do with Jakson. I will continue to update as I get things together.

It will be a great way to utilize the new art corner that I made for him as well (pictures to come). He is really needing the extra challenge and opportunities to be creative. I'm hoping the structure will help with some of his behaviors too.

What's your March GAM?

headband night and a felt flower tutorial

SIX ladies sported new felt flowers in the form of brooches, bobby pins and headbands this past Sunday--definitely a way to measure a successful craft night! I meant to gather the girls for a picture, but in my haste to rescue Jakson's nursery teacher, I forgot. Darn.

After making a couple of flowers, hands down my favorite pattern is this one from Yoonie at Home. The end result looks the most like the creations I was coveting from Etsy and looks great whether it is made from wool felt or craft felt.

I attached one to a bobby pin (just sewed some extra knots underneath the flower and slipped the bobby pin through) and hot glued another to a black headband. The pattern from Yoonie also includes a printable template, something I think is a MUST.

Slight changes I made:

• Instead of cutting green leaves out of the larger templates (the ones that say "leaves") I cut them a little bigger (outside of the lines) in the same color to create a larger flower.
• It says to print the template on A4 paper, something I saw a lot of in New Zealand, not so much here in the States. Do I printed it on regular 8 1/2"x 11" paper without changing any of the settings and it was just fine.
• There are only seven layers in this flower, but you can add as many as you want (I had 8-9 in each of mine)

I realize that my hair looks a shade green in this picture. Rest assured that it is not actually green, just the horrible lighting in our kitchen late at night.

Other helpful tutorials I found:
Felt Pom Flower
Flower Choker-easily trimmed down for a headband
Felt Flower Accessory
Felt Rose Headband
Felt Flower Hairpins

During my search for ideas, I was also looking in particular for one I could stick on a clip for Storey. Could NOT find one anywhere that I liked!! I finally gave in and made one up. So that you don't have to go through the same agony of searching for hours with no results, I have created a tutorial for a little girl's felt flower. But you'll have to excuse the ghettoness of it.

Click here (Flower Template) for the PDF pattern of the flower-I realize it is pretty crappy looking, but it does the job. If you hate it, you can always get me Publisher as an early Christmas present :)

1. Print out the flower template and cut out the pattern pieces
2. Pin the pattern pieces to desired felt colors.
   
3. Cut out the large flower (that's the photo) and Circle 2 with sewing (standard) scissors.
   
4. Use pinking shears to cut out Circle 1.
   
5. Layer the flower, circle 1, and circle 2, then sew a button through all three layers
   
6. Optional: add a decorative stitch (hand sewn) with coordinating embroidery thread around the button on Circle 2 (as seen in the picture of Storey)
7. Add an alligator clip--my friend Amy taught me an easy way to do this. Cut a small piece of sticky back Velcro, open up the clip, slide the Velcro between the two "jaws" of the clip with the sticky facing the top "jaw". Attach the clip with the sticky side up to the felt flower. Press firmly. It should look something like this:
8. You're done! Slip it into the hair of someone cute and snap a few pictures!! I'd love to see them!! As always, let me know if you have any questions: bethanycr {AT} gmail{DOT}com
   

Give it away give it away give it away now

Fun Fabulous Finds is hosting a giveaway for me today!! Head over to the site by March 4th and enter to win your choice of a fuchsia tutu or Superkid cape from Love, September-both great additions to the dress up box!! Enter here.

Things I have learned about discipline this week

1. It is easier to manage 33 twelve year olds in a classroom than 1 two year old in my home
2. Sticker charts don't work as well as they tell you they do in BYU Child Development classes. And yes, even if you let them pick which stickers they want. Doesn't work.
3. Two year olds are amazingly stubborn.
   
4. Taking away favorite stuffed animals/blankets is not an effective form of punishment
5. Neither is having a child sleep in time out
6. Disciplining over and over and over and over puts me in a spiteful mood.
7. I said I hope you get a kid just like you at least ten times in the past week. And when he's 30 and calls me for advice because his son won't sleep at night, I'm telling him that a sticker chart works like a charm. Because I know it won't work. Just to spite him.

Not my genes

I could hear the kids playing upstairs after bedtime and when I walked in to tell them to Lie down! (two of the most commonly used words in my vocabulary as of late) I found Storey standing in her crib.

That's right.

STANDING. IN. HER. CRIB.

At first I thought Jakson had jumped out of bed, helped her stand and then jumped back in. At least, I hoped that is what had happened.

So, I laid her back down, wrapped her like a burrito, and stuck a pacifier in her mouth.

Then I watched in horror as she unraveled her body from the tightly wound blanket, rolled over, scooted to the side of the crib and pulled herself up.

Need I remind you that we just celebrated this child's 1/2 year of life?!?

A few things ran through my head:

Why do I always end up with these freakishly active children?

Zak, what did you do to your mother so many years ago that her cries of I hope you have a kid just like you!came to fruition?

Crib bumpers are so much cuter with the mattress in the highest setting and now we'll have to lower it. Darn.

I know you think it's unfair to blame Zak, but really, if you've ever watched me play ANY sport, heck, even jog, you would realize that I am not one of the most coordinated individuals. Physical abilities are not something my children will inherit from me.

Good looks, smarts, a witty sense of humor: yes. Athleticism: no.

Stuck

Lionel Richie's Hello has been stuck in my head for almost two weeks straight now.

I finally decided to give in to the 80's soft rock. The 80's are totally coming back, right?

Today, instead of Billie Holiday (courtesy of Pandora) , we are grooving to Lionel, Diana Ross and the gang.

Tomorrow I'm going to wear my fanny pack and Hypercolor shirt.

To all my neighbors, you got much flavor

A couple of friends have asked about our grocery savings.

In the words of Montell Jordanthis is how we do it.

We generally budget $30-35 a week to spend on groceries. I realize that there are people out there who are able to cut their grocery bill down even more by shopping at more than one store, but with two kids (okay, it's really just Jakson. I could shop with Storey all day long) and limited time, that's just not feasible for us. So, I figure out which store has the best deals that week and shop in one place (with coupons of course). Last week it was Albertson's, the week before Fry's.

There are lots of internet resources out there that help me keep my grocery bill low, but one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) ways that I save money is menu planning. It's easy, doesn't take a whole lot of time and results in less stress for me because I don't worry "What are we going to eat for dinner tonight?"

Do what works for your family, but this is how we roll:
Every Sunday night, Zak and I sit down and plan the menu for the week.

Sometimes it's annoying because we can't always come up with things we want to eat, but Recipezaar and Allrecipes are great helps. Personally, I like Recipezaar better--I've been disappointed a couple of times with Allrecipes.

I think the most effective way to find recipes is to search for a type of meat/ingredient that is on sale or we have in our deep freeze, sort the recipes by highest rating and pick one that sounds interesting and doesn't have any strange/expensive ingredients. I've found a few really great recipes this way. Some have even become staples in our house like Ritz Cracker Crumb Chicken (SO good and easy!!).

Then I shop according to the menu plan. I write the things we're missing for each recipe, add on a few snacks (that are on sale) for the kids, veggies and fruits, paper/cleaning products, and shop off of my list.

The trick is NO impulse buys (except for the occasional box of crackers for Jakson to eat in the store..but I'm willing to shell out a couple extra dollars for my sanity).

A side note: just because a certain meal is written next to a particular day doesn't mean that we will necessarily eat it on that day. I might forget to stick the stuff in the crock pot one morning or won't feel like pasta that day, so I have the right to switch things up and eat Friday's meal Monday and so forth. Don't feel tied down. It's just a basic outline so that you purchase enough food for seven meals. Ideally, you want to get rid of those emergency trips to the grocery to purchase one or two ingredients. Most of the time you don't have time to search through your coupons/check the ads and will end up spending more for last minute items.

And if you want your menu plan to be pretty (or more organized) these are some of my favorite online resources (they are all printable---and fabulous!):
Futuregirl Craft Blog-Menu Plan Template-this is the one we currently use-I love it!
A Print a Day-Daily Menu
Organized Home Planner-has breakfast, lunch and dinner
Menu Planning Form-2 different forms for download
Not free, but you know I had to add the token Etsy link: Cicistudio-worth the $4!!

Menu for February 22-March 1-see links for recipes
Monday: Lettuce Wraps-with pork, not chicken
Tuesday: Anderson Chowder--french bread
Wednesday: Farfalle Pasta (recipe below)--asparagus
Thursday: Crock Pot Chickcen with black beans and cream cheese (sans the black beans-don't like them)--cauliflower
Friday: Hamburgers on the grill
Saturday: Lone Star Fondue (Sat. night tradition)
Sunday: Roast

Farfalle Pasta-courtesy of Katie Brown
6 cups farfalle pasta
1 T. butter
1 3/4 canned chopped tomatoes
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 cup cream
3/4 cup shredded parm. cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. In separate pan melt butter. Add tomatoes and seasonings. Heat to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add cream. Heat to a boil. Add parm. cheese and stir until melted. Serve over hot pasta.

Celebrating lovers and big babies

A long story short: my sister in law jumped out of a window (for fun) and broke her ankle which means that my MIL is in town to drive her to work and play with the kids!! Yea for us, boo for Katy doing stupid things that in 15 years Jakson will also attempt (hopefully not with the same results). The kamikaze gene runs in the family. Can you guess which side???

So...I haven't been blogging because we've been out with G-ma. Nothin' better than that.

I did want to acknowledge two events that occurred in the past couple of weeks before too much time passes by.

Storey turned 6 months! It seems like I was pushing her out, like, yesterday and yet, here she is crawling around and smiling at everyone. How time flies!!

And yes, you heard that right. The child is crawling. Apparently God did not get the memo where I asked for a less active kid this time. In fact, in His humor she may actually be MORE active than Jakson was. In 15 years, it might be Storey jumping out of windows, not Jak.

Those dang Vermillion genes.

To celebrate this milestone, we stole an idea from my friend Mandi and made Storey 1/2 of a cake (because she's 1/2 of a year). Jakson decorated it and insisted on dumping ALL of the sprinkles in the very middle. In fact, I think the middle piece may have been more sprinkle than cake.

Obviously, I did not regulate the sprikledge---I just let him go for it. Unfortunately, Storey is still too young to actually eat the cake, but thankfully she has an older brother who was generous enough to eat her portion.

I dressed Storey up and had a little 6 month photo shoot during one of Jak's naps. I only got a couple of good shots, but I think they turned out really well.

She is such a good baby and a blessing in our family. We love her very much!!

Valentine's Day Zak informed me as we were going to bed Saturday night this Valentine's Day was EXTRA special because it marked the five year anniversary of our first kiss AND it even fell on the same day of the week. How cute.

We didn't do anything too spectacular for the holiday. Friday night Zak and I went to the temple and got take out as our date--low key and relaxing. We didn't exchange any big gifts but over the weekend, Zak hid hearts with messages all over the house and I'm still finding them.... I love thoughtful things like that.

The other man in my life also asked me to "Be Mine". I better be his only Valentine for at least the next 22 years.

And no, we do not normally decorate our entry way table with fuchsia tulle. Thanks for asking.

Popular Demand

I have had quite a few emails and comment inquiries from disappointed people who don't live in the Phoenix area but still want to learn how to make the felt headbands. You lucky, lucky Phoenicians-you're house may be worth $100,000 less than what you bought it for, but at least you are within driving distance of craft night!
So, this is what I'll do....I'll take lots and lots of pictures and post tutorial links to the headbands we make and give you any suggestions we find to make things easier or more lovely.

Because I love you.

And I'm always accepting donations towards that $100,000......just sayin'.

Donut Amateurs

I am not a breakfast person. If my choices are sleep or eat breakfast, I ALWAYS choose sleep. This also means that I don't get up to make anyone else in the family breakfast either-we eat cold cereal, instant oatmeal and the like.

Jakson has inherited my love of sleeping in. On a normal day, he doesn't get up until 8:30-9. Works for me. As a result, we eat breakfast about the time others have started thinking about lunch.

This morning when Jak woke up, I'd already finished feeding Storey and she'd gone back to bed, so it was just us. I was feeling a little creative and remembered this great recipe for semi-homemade donuts.

It was a really great activity to do with toddlers (and I am ALWAYS looking for those!!) Jakson loved cutting the holes in the donuts (Marie says she used a medicine cup, but I wish I would have had a circle cookie cutter--the medicine cup didn't work very well) I didn't have a shaker to put the sugar/cinnamon mixture in, so when I was finished cooking the donuts, I put the mixture in the bottom of a large Tupperware, tossed the cooked donuts in, put the lid on and let Jakson shake them all up to coat the donuts.

While our donuts were definitely not as pretty as Marie's, (the picture at the top is hers, not mine) they were still really good and a great brunch food!

In good company

Today, the Cora Playground Project officially launches.

Already, I have sold FIFTEEN tutus for Cora thanks to your enormous generosity.
And there's more.
Over 50 Etsy shops have also added items to their shops for Cora.
See all of them here.
Or click on the Playground Project button on my sidebar.
Better yet add one to your blog!

BTW-Monday Giveaways are no longer posted on this blog. Go here for this week's giveaway.

It's hard to get mad

It's 10:30 PM and my children are STILL not sleeping.

We put them to bed at 8.

Every time one of us goes upstairs to tell them to Go To Bed! we find them giggling and playing.

With each other.

Peek-a-boo.

I just can't get mad at that.

Maybe they'll sleep in tomorrow **fingers crossed**.

Down to business

1. Many of you read my blog via Bloglines or Google Reader (don't have one of these? you so need to get one--it makes reading your favorite blogs much easier), so you won't have seen the facelift that Vermillion Rules has received. I figured that the blog had been wearing the same outfit for long enough (2 1/2 years!) and needed a change. I'm loving it.
   
   
2. Speaking of change: Vermillion Rules is undergoing a content change. This blog was started in order to share with friends and family the goings on of our lives. In the past 2 years, I've veered quite a bit from its original purpose, but now it's time to get back to the basics.
   
   
3. New blog: I love supporting Etsy artists and want to continue featuring shops in Monday Giveaways, so I have created a new blog full of Etsy love. Starting this upcoming Monday, weekly giveaways will be moved over there as well as other features about some of my favorite Etsy finds. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed!
   
   
4. Headbands for you: The tutu class was so fun that I've decided to host another craft night--this time making Felt Flower Headbands (like this or this or this). It will be held this upcoming Thursday (19th), 7PM at my home. If you are interested in attending, please email me at bethanycr{AT}gmail{DOT}com and I'll send you the materials list.
   

For Cora

Cora Paige

"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Matthew 7:12

When Joy asked if anyone else wanted to donate proceeds from their shop to Cora's Playground fund, the Golden Rule from Matthew came to mind. If tragedy struck my family, would I want others to rally around us? Yes, yes I would. So, I jumped at the chance to contribute to the cause and add an item for Cora to Love, September.

I think the Lord works through many mediums and is currently using blogs to fulfill some of His purposes (think Nielson family as well). Knowing that this year, I will not be able to do anything extravagant, like volunteer every week at a food bank or donate millions to cure diseases, I am filling my service quota in smaller, at home ways--this time to honor Cora.

And what better to commemorate a little girl's life than a tutu?!? Not just any tutu but a tutu in the most vibrant, adorable color EVER-fuchsia!!This tutu looks fabulous in photos (as you can see....speaking of adorable!) and can be made in sizes newborn to 5T. If you're so inclined, for a little more, I can make it in adult sizes as well. And all of the proceeds will go to Cora.

Thanks to all of you who have already purchased a tutu for Cora! The listing has been up for less than 24 hours and SEVEN have sold!!

If you have ever contemplated purchasing a tutu, right now is the absolute best time to splurge because 100% of the proceeds are going to be donated to Cora's Playground fund. Doing good and getting something fantastic!! Here's a link directly to the Fuchsia Tutu for Cora Paige.

Even if you aren't going to purchase a tutu (I won't be offended), please add this button to your sidebar that links to all of the Etsy shops that are donating to the Playground fund. It's a wonderful cause and won't take more than a couple minutes of your time to help out. The HTML code for the button is on my sidebar under the original button. Just copy and paste the code and add it as an HTML gadget to your own. Then click on it to see what other Etsy goodies you can purchase for Cora!! Happy shopping!

BTW-The button design was graciously donated by Daydreams by Design and sara & abraham. Isn't it lovely?!?

No, I'm just fat

Six days and 20 hours ago, I was once again asked When is the baby due? (Hold a grudge about such a thing?!? Not me, no.)

It's not a baby, buddy. It's those two lobster tails I packed in during formal night.

But then I started to worry. Last time someone asked me if I was pregnant, I really WAS due in nine months and just hadn't figured it out. How did she know?

This time though, the culprit was not psychic, just rude.

Looks like I should be working a little harder on that GAM goal (oh yeah, 'cause it's the 12th and I haven't done yoga ONCE. The couch keeps sucking me in.)

Cruisin' Along

As promised, here's a vacation report:

Those of you who assured me that I wouldn't miss my kids too terribly were right. In fact, I only cried once----during a non-touching scene in Baby Mama: a baby reminded me of Storey. Ridiculous.

Zak and I had a wonderful time doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. No worrying about nap time, temper tantrums, picky eaters (like little boys who only eat cheese based foods), or bed times. Bliss.

I seriously think I gained back everything I've lost since Storey's birth--the food was so good and I took full advantage of the all-you-can-eat aspect. I would also add that Zak ate non-stop, but that's really no different than any other time--just ask the people in his office.

We lounged at the back of the ship and read a couple hours every day. Heaven on earth!! Thanks to everyone who gave me book recommendations! I ended up reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (I didn't like it as well as Year of Wonders), The Tsarina's Daughter by Carolly Erickson, and What I Saw and How I Lied (YA Fiction) by Judy Blundell--highly recommend. And now I have a lot of new books to add to my library list courtesy of you all!!

Zak and I learned to fold towel animals-a skill that may come in handy next time we have house guests.Progreso, Mexico was our first stop. Zak and I took a little $2 bus tour and wandered around the shops. During the shopping lecture on the ship, we were told that the shopping was better in Cozumel, but maybe that's only true if you are going to buy jewelry and other expensive items. We found the people a lot more willing to bargain in Progreso than Cozumel. Jakson's beloved guitar was purchased along with gifts for my mom and Storey and some Mexican vanilla for all those chocolate chip cookies that I shouldn't be baking/eating. We could have also taken advantage of the $15 on beach massages, but I wasn't sure that I wanted to strip down in front of all the sun bathers. I have my limits.

In Cozumel we took our time reading all of the plaques and asking our tour guide questions at the Discover Mexico museum (something that is impossible to do with kids in tow!!) Zak refers to this picture as The Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. He thinks he is hilarious.These models are scaled 1 to 90-AMAZING! The museum was really interesting. I would totally recommend it to anyone else cruising in the winter months---it was a little too cold and windy for beach activities, hence the fleece that you keep seeing in pictures.
Zak and I even made some new BYU alumni friends-Mike and Elizabeth. We happened upon them on formal night--sleeves among sleeveless folk gave them away--and we had fun playing crazy onboard games, attending shows and swapping stories with them.
Credit where credit is due: thanks to my mother (and my dad too, but we all know who did most of the work!) without whom this trip would have been IMPOSSIBLE in every way shape and form. We had a fabulous time, mom, and are so grateful for the sacrifices that you made for us!! Thank you a million times over!!

I deserved that cake I ate for breakfast.

Yesterday, at nap time, I heard a thump from up above and went to investigate.

What I found:

Jakson DISMANTLED his crib.

No really, you read that right. The kid took the dang thing apart. I don't get it. Does he have a secret stash of screwdrivers or is it something else?!?

GO, GO, GADGET ARMS!

Something to help

I was recently introduced to baby Cora's struggle with cancer through a link from a friend. Her parent's strength and faith in the Lord as they dealt with the sudden news of her illness and subsequent aggressive medical treatment amazed me. Tragically, on Sunday, Cora passed away. I cannot imagine their pain.

In honor of Cora, her parents will be constructing a playground and are taking contributions to their project in lieu of flowers. Joy's Hope, a fabulous Etsy shop, will be donating 100% of the proceeds from each sale of her Messy Flower headbands/pins to the Cora playground. I love her idea and want to spread the word--so head on over to purchase a something pretty for yourself. And do a little good.

Monday Giveaway-Iona's Closet**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

#8=Cheryl is the lucky winner of this giveaway!! CONGRATS!

I'm excited to get back to Monday Giveaways after a week hiatus (for a much needed vacation) and happy to share with you another fabulous Etsy shop!

This week's shop is Iona's Closet...pretty little hair accessories. And pretty they are!! But these are not accessories for the kids-these are lovelies for the ladies! Any head of hair would look spectacular with these headbands and clippies!

Maren (Ion's Closet shop owner) is offering an awesome prize to the lucky winner of this week's giveaway-one neon orchid hairclip AND a little purple pansy headband.

To enter this giveaway:

1. Click on Ion's Closet and take a look around.

2. Come back here and leave a comment on THIS POST telling me what you love in the shop.

3. Please, please either leave me your email address or blog link so that I can contact you if you win. Comments with no email address or blog link will be deleted. If I cannot contact you, I will choose another winner.

4. You have until Sunday, February 15th at midnight MST to enter. Check next Monday's Giveaway to find out if you are the lucky winner!!

BLOG ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY!! Then come back and let me know where you posted.

***Be sure to enter my other giveaway for a Rainy Day Craft Kit on the Lesson Plans blog at Craft Gossip!

Vacation no more

Signs that our vacation is over:

1. Storey's double ear infection that we discovered during a 4 hour stint at Urgent Care last night.
2. The five or six times that the Dr. remarked how surprised she was that Storey tested negative for RSV.
   
3. During our hurried dinner, courtesy of Chick-Fil-A, no one placed a napkin in my lap and I finally resigned to doing it myself. Hmph.
4. Did I mention the breathing treatments that we have to administer to our extremely opinionated six month old?
   
5. One of her opinions-----breathing treatments work better if you scream slash turn purple the entire time you are getting one.

And my personal favorite sign that we're no longer on vacation:
6. The fit that Jakson threw this morning-complete with throwing himself against a wall-when he was informed that guitars (really, a ukelele, but don't tell him) don't belong in church.

**We had a SPACTACULAR time on the cruise--more to come about that tomorrow. At the moment, I can only manage numbered lists due to my lack of sleep and the fact that I still feel like the world is one large rocking ship. I'm having trouble walking, let alone thinking straight.

Miss Me Yet?

I've scheduled some really great posts over at Craft Gossip for this week. I am loving this new blog because it's finally a place where I can regurgitate all of the ideas I've been collecting in my bookmarks for the last couple of years. And if I wasn't lounging on a cruise ship right now, I'd be trying them all out--but you'll have to work on them first and let me know how it goes!!

BTW-Don't let the title Lesson Plans scare you away-many of the activities are geared towards toddler and preschool age children and are perfect for kitchen table art! See here.

And you thought I forgot....

GAM '09---February Goal

I ALMOST finished my January goal....the crib is now red and is wearing a fabulous new bumper, but I didn't get the quilt bound or the crib skirt sewn. Darn. Storey DOES sleep in it now and she's doing a pretty good job of sleeping through the night, despite the fact that Jakson wakes up with night terrors (read: screaming) just about every other night. The two kids in the same room situation is working out well and I've noticed, now that they are not sleeping in the same room (at Grandma's house) , that they don't seem to sleep as long or soundly when they are not together. Maybe they DO like each other after all!!

February Goal: Zak's goal for January was to do Yoga every other day. He kept up with it pretty well and now I'd like to join him in his exercise quest. So my goal for this month is yoga three times a week. I think that's doable and I'll need it especially after eating all of the cruise food!!

Go ahead and link up your goals so that we can see your January progress and new goal for February. It's GAMalicious!! :)

I'm big talk

but I'm going to miss these little faces something terrible.

Postpone and Revise

If you've been reading my blog, then you know that I have been greatly concerned about the legislation that was passed last August with the acronym CPSIA regarding children's product testing. It would have put my Etsy shop (and many others) out of business due to the ridiculous cost of testing my naturally lead free cotton.

Amazingly and miraculously, on Friday, the CPSC made the decision to postpone the enforcement of the regulations for ONE YEAR while they revise the law!!

There's still work to be done to insure that the law is rewritten so that handmade businesses can continue selling, book publishers don't have to have books tested for lead, and thrift shops can still carry used children's products once the year deadline passes, but this is really great news for the time being. I am excited that I will be able to reopen the shop once we get back from vacation and continue to sell slings, etc.

So thanks to all of you who wrote your congressmen, posted blogs, or spoke with your friends and family about CPSIA. It was all of the exposure from everyday people (like you!) about the idiocy of this law that motivated the changes we see now!!