"Foto" Friday

Yes, my babies are still small enough to bathe in the sink.

And a fluffy one...

Easy peasy kids thank you note

My daughter is 5 . Being 5, she does not like to write the same thing over and over again and frankly, I don't have the patience to wait for her to write out 10 thank you notes. Which leads me to this tutorial...

Before I being, I will give you a little background on how this came about. For Kylie's invitations to her birthday party I had her draw a butterfly, then scanned it and copied it into a word document so everyone got a personalized Kylie butterfly. I was telling my SIL about this and she said, "hey you should do that with thank you notes too". Light bulb!!!

All you do is have your child write out a simple statement such as, "thank you for my" and then leave a blank space. After that have them sign their name at the bottom. That way she (or he) can go back and fill in the name and the gift ( or mom can if she has no more patience left).

I then added her butterfly drawing back to the document and wallah...




Now I cannot seem to figure out how to show you the complete document but I can show you the thank you note minus the butterfly. I ended up putting the butterfly right next to her name.

Happy Butterfly Day

Kylie loves Butterflies!

Not just Butterflies but she loves to learn about butterflies.

That being said, she wanted her birthday party to be about the life cycle of a butterfly.

I know kinda weird for a 5 year old but I couldn't be more proud of her.

Once we decided on the theme I jumped on the computer to research some theme's for her party. Here is what I came up with.

To start the girls came in a picked out a butterfly mask which my sister purchased on Oriental Trading.

They then colored some pretty 3D butterflies and rubber butterflies. They were then able to make a rose for their butterfly out of foam.

After this each girl picked out a basket for our next adventure.

We then went on a Butterfly hunt for some items hidden around the house...these items were: Butterfly antenna (headbands with pipe cleaners and pom poms), butterfly lollypops, butterfly tattoos, a coloring sheet on the life cycle of a butterfly, and an egg (easter egg filled with round gumballs).

It was then LUNCH TIME. I found these cute plates for a dollar at the Christmas Tree Shop and figured they would do...The girls were served butterfly sandwiches, caterpillars (cheese curls, and grapes on a toothpick), butterfly eggs (olives), and butterfly food (cheese and fruit).

The girls then got a ton of candy with the flower pinata my SIL made for Kylie (which she painted herself).

We then ate butterfly cupcakes and ice cream. My SIL found these gummy butterflies at the local Amish bulk food store.

The end the day we read the Very Hungry Caterpillar. I was a little nervous about getting the girls to listen, but they really enjoyed it!


Each girl was also able to munch on some popcorn while they waited for their mom's to come pick them up...

Overall it was a success...Here is a picture of the happy birthday girl! In her butterfly dress her mama made for her...

"Foto" Friday

Just in case you wanted to win something

As you know, the OWOH giveaway just ended.

I love winning things...

Especially when I am stuck in the house.

So I thought I would share with you all some giveaways that are going on right now.

First, stop on over to my friend Sarah's blog for her Amber teething necklace giveaway.

Then go on over to The Mommy Market for a whole bunch of Etsy giveaways.

When you are done with that, take a peak at The Green Baby Guide and enter a chance to win their new book. Just in case you were wondering, I too will be giving away one of these books in the new future ;o)

Enter a chance to win some NUK products at Baby's gotta have it. When you are done with that enter the chance to win a sleepsack as well.

Then go read this blog for a chance to win a great book.'

And for my Cloth Diapering friends, make sure you check out Kelly's Closet for some great giveaways. These girls do it EVERY Friday...see my side bar.

I will post more giveaways as I find them but that should keep you busy for a while...GOOD LUCK!

*UPDATE* Head on over to life in a shoe for a chance to win a skirt from New Creation Women's Apparel!

My first baby turned 5 today...*Updated*

Happy birthday Miss Kylie Mae!!!

You are such a beautiful princess and we couldn't be more proud of you!

Kylie at 1 week..(had to add this one..TALK TO THE HAND)

Kylie at 2 months...
One...
Two..
Three...
Four...

And...FIVE!

Happiness...true happiness

Happiness...true happiness doesn't come from the seen but from the unseen.

Something we all strive for is to be happy. Like all of you, I struggle with being happy all the time. There are days were I wake up and say, "It WILL be a good day today" but within 10 minutes someone has spilled an entire cup of juice on the floor, the baby is screaming to be fed, the heat broke, and I cannot find any coffee in the house.

I want to have a joyful heart. I want to love others unconditionally. I want to be content with where I am....

But I struggle.

Today I read this verse

^"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

Ahhhaaa

I do feel happy when I give to others. Not just materially but emotionally. You would think I know this by now. Come on, I'm 25 29 years old. But I don't. Some days I get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to just give.

So this week, I have decided to give...give time, give food, give money, and most importantly give LOVE.

God is good and rewards those who obey Him. I choose to obey....

So give my friends, give.

While seeking happiness for other, we unconsciously find it for ourselves. ~Unknown author

Oh and here is a recipe you can "GIVE" or eat

Biscuits

2 Cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup milk
1 egg

preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients. Cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly. Add milk, then egg. Blend well. Roll out the dough and cut, or drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

and the winner is...

And the winner of the OWOH giveaway is....

#11 Whimsical Creations


Enjoy the hat my blog friend!!

I'm famous..well at least I like to think I am..

a href='http://www.oneprettything.com' target='oneprettything'>

Yup...my daddy's valentines craft made it on One Pretty thing. Oh and by the way, you should totally check them out. I love love love them and get most of my crafty ideas from this website!!

Oh and happy Valentine's Day my blog friends!

"F"oto Friday

A few of my favorites!!

*cough* leave my home...

We are sick...well not we but the kids are sick.

Not just runny nose sick. I mean the kid of sick where you kids cough until they cannot cough anymore. The kind of cough you are tempted to make them walk around with a bucket..just in case. The kind of cough you want to put ear plugs in or maybe some really bad 80's music because that would be better than listening to it.

Don't get me wrong. I feel horrible for them. They have fevers and chills and the most chapped little noses. They walk around saying, "mommy, hold me" over and over and sometimes all they can get out is, "mammmmmaaaaa". It's sad..really.

Thankfully Zach and I are not sick yet...I said YET. With the amount of snot I have handled the past few days, it is inevitable that I will get sick soon. Very very soon.

Isn't that the way it works. The kids get healthy (and by healthy I mean they get every ounce of their energy pack with a pinch of the crazy's) while the mom and dad need rest.

*sigh*

SO..yucky bug you MUST leave my home ASAP..prior to the mama and the daddy getting it!

Well there was a purpose for this post. It was to tell you that I have a good good post in mind to write tomorrow (if the sickness doesn't attack me) about a magazine I read today. I was really disappointed with it and it made me realize just how different I am. Really..it was a parenting magazine too.

But that is for tomorrow.

In the mean time..head on over to my friend Jocelyn's blog and check out her post on mandatory vaccinations....More on that later.

Nighty night my friends. Well lets hope...

My Cloth Diaper review

When I change my babies in public, I always seem to hear, " wow, you cloth diaper! That is a lot of work!" or "I was going to cloth diaper but I did know where to start." or "what's your favorite diaper?".

So I figured I would make it easy for you all.

I will rank all of the diapers I have used for you all..

Here is the system I will use:
1-10: 1 being I would not recommend and 10 being HIGHLY recommend

1. Ease of use
2. Durability
3. How it handles the washer/dryer
4. Traveling with Diapers
5. Leak issues
5. Bulkiness
6. Price

Fuzzi Bunz
1. 8 These have snaps which can take a few seconds longer than velcro and are also a pocket diaper which requires pulling out dirty insert and putting in a clean insert (after wash)
2. 8 I will start by saying these hold up VERY WELL. I have had mine in rotation for 5 years straight now and they still work well. The only issue is with the elastic in the legs. Over time it stretches out and needs to be replaced. I will also say that I dont' think this is an issue with the new OS Fuzzi Bunz. They send a replacement set of elastic and it is MUCH MUCH easier to replace.
3. 9 Out of all of my diapers, Fuzzi Bunz have been the easiest to wash. They dry VERY quickly and are easy to line dry in the summer. They seem to wash well because they come apart. I hesitate to rank it a 10 because the inserts can get rather smelly overtime. They require a few extra washes when this happens.
4. 9 I take these everywhere with me. After they are soiled I place them in a wet bag. I just make sure the diaper is "stuffed" before I leave the house. The only yucky part is taking the insert out. I usually wait until I am home but it is an extra step.
5. 10 I have not had any leak issues with these diapers. Seriously! My kids have even been able to use them overnight (with an extra insert). Of course you will get your occasional leak but just be grateful there isn't a gel explosion to clean up as there would be with disposables. Look at the leg in the second picture. They do a great job at fitting snugly so there isn't a side leak or wicking issues.
6. 10 The least bulky of all of my diapers! When they have extra inserts (as the one in the picture has) they can be a little bulky but overall these are great for your moving baby!
7. 8 They can be pricey. Not a pricey as many diapers but for me they are a bit overpriced. The good thing is they are always offering deals.

Overall these are my favorite diaper! They are soft and never really leak! I would highly recommend these to a new mom.

Smartipants
1. 9 These are easier than Fuzzi Bunz because the insert just washes out. You don't ever have to deal with a messy insert. Snaps and stuffing the insert back in are why they didn't get a 10 ( I will add that snapping really isn't that big of a deal. Once you do a few times, you get the hang of it)
2. 10 So far, so good. These seem to have a better elastic leg than other CD's. I have not notice any stretching out in this area and I am no thinking I will. The snaps are held on very well and it doesn't have any pilling issues because the liner isn't made of fleece.
3. 10 Washing is cake with these. As I said before the messy insert just washes right out..no issues. They also dry very quickly and don't seem to hold any "smell".
4. 10 Super easy..just make sure they are stuffed before you leave the house. Throw the messy ones in your wet bag and go. Then just throw it in the washer when you get home.
5. 10 NO LEAK ISSUES. I have forgotten to change Addy before bed and she didn't leak at all. Now this isn't common because even if she were in a disposable, she would leak. You can also put extra inserts in if you wish.
6. 10 not bulky at all. These are good for your moving babies.
7. 10 best deal I have seen (for the quality). Being that they are a one size, you use them until the babies are potty trained.

A very very close second to Fuzzi Bunz. I have a feeling these will exceed Fuzzi Bunz in the near future. The only reason I like FB better is they seem to have a softer liner! I would highly recommend these to any new mom.

Kushies
1. 10 Very very easy to use. Just put them on the baby and velcro them closed as you would a disposable. They are an AIO so no inserts.
2. 7 These do seem to "look there age". There are many holes in near the leg opening and in the lining. Even so, they still don't leak through the holes. The velcro seems to hold up well too. It doesn't roll up as some others do.
3. 8 Easy to wash, hard to dry. These need extra drying time because they are an AIO. I usually have to run the dryer twice or leave them on the line for 2x's as long. I also hate pulling out a wad of velcro mess. The velcro attaches to everything (even with the tabs down) and tangles itself.
4. 10 Easiest to travel with because there are no inserts to deal with. Use them as you would a disposable and throw the messy one in your wet bag.
5. 7 Even with the holes in them, they aren't bad. They do not absorb wetness like some of the other CD and it seems to sit on the babies skin. With my sensitive skin boy, I wasn't able to use these much because he would get a rash. The girls have had no issues but they do need to be changed more often in Kushies.
6. 8 They aren't as trim fitting as some other diaper. I use these before my babies are moving a lot because they are rather bulky between the legs.
7. 8 They are not expensive but you need to buy different sizes for different ages.

Not my favorite but they are still in my rotation. I may recommend these to someone on a budget but overall I do not recommend wasting your money on these.
Prefolds
1. 6 Not that easy to use. It requires a still baby and a patient mommy at times. Snapi's make it easier than the old pinning method but still require work.
2. 10 They hold up great. What's not to hold up about them??
3. 10 THE easiest to wash by far. You just throw them in a dry them. They also line dry nicely...but I do recommend throwing them in the dryer for a few minutes after to "soften them up".
4. 5 Not fun to travel with. They require more time than other CD's so if you are in a hurry, forget it! The also require a cover so you travel with more items (although covers can be reused). The snapi is easier than using pins but still another item to bring.
5. 8 they do absorb well but you can end up with a wet baby if you don't cover them well. It requires some extra checking to make sure all of the prefold is covered before "closing them up". I haven't used prefolds much so for the more experienced CDer this isn't an issue.
6. 5 Very Very bulky. These are great for home. Not good for early walkers because they cannot keep their little fat legs together.
7. 10 The cheapest of them all! Great for those on a budget.

I recommend these for kids who struggle with diaper rash. These let more air in than other CD's and you can leave the cover off for a while if need be.

Gdiapers
1. 8 They require stuffing either a cloth insert or disposable insert before use. Even so, if this is done before hand they are pretty easy to use.
2. 5 I have only had these for 6 months and they look like I have had them for years. The velcro tabs curl up and fray at the ends and the plastic snap in center is beginning to fray as well. The "g" on the back fell off about a month after I had it. I will say this isn't typical. I know people who use these and don't have these issues. I am wondering if it has something to do with the HE washer.
3. 6 The liners need to be taken out to wash and the tabs curl. Even so, they dry super quick.
4. 9 I only use these when I travel because you can use a disposable insert with them. You can reuse the liner and cover (unless they are pooped on) and you don't have to carry much.
5. 6 I have not had luck with these. They leak leak leak. Addy is usually always wet after I use these. I am not sure why but it seems my liners leak?
6. 10 The trimmest diaper by far! Would be great for walkers!!
7. 7 not bad price wise and defiantly cheaper than buying disposables but you still need to buy replacement inserts. If using a cloth insert it can be cheaper.

(this was taken about 3 weeks after I got them)
Overall I do not recommend gDiapers to mom's who CD. I do however recommend them to people who aren't into CDing but are trying to be more "green". The inserts are biodegradable and can be flushed.

Most importantly, please know that cloth diapers selection can be a difficult thing. Try out a bunch of them and decide what is best for you as everyone has a personal preference. Jillian's Drawers offers a cloth diaper tester pack and it seems to be a really good deal. You try them out for $10 and send them back if you don't like them. If you do like them, you get a deal on purchasing them.
There you have it! I love talking about cloth diapering so feel free to ask questions. For you other Cloth Diapering mama's out there, what is your favorite CD?

My baby is a big girl...

So this morning when I woke up...this is what I saw...

And then I realized that I could put a little pony tail in her hair...

AND THEN I had to put the bassinet away and had to take out her 6-9 month clothes and replace them with what 12 month clothes I have...

Oh baby Addy...don't grow up too fast ;o(

Easy Daddy's v-day gift

I am always at a loss as to what to give the Mr. for Valentine's day from the kiddos...

We could just draw a cute valentine...

They could make cards full of glue sequence and glitter...

Or just buy him some chocolate (of course this Mr. doesn't really enjoy chocolate)

I searched and found a lot of different crafts that are pretty time consuming and still not much better than that glue sequenceglitter card.

I thought to myself, "I can do better".

So here it is.

This is for all those mama's who just don't have time or enough patience to make a very special valentine.

All I did was:
1) cut out three different size hearts (one for Kylie, one for Cooper, and one for Addison)
2) paint their little pretty hands with white pant
3) place their little fat hands on the heart and label it as you choose
4) string it with yarn and hang...


Enjoy....