We aren't here anymore...

I'm so glad you found us!

As of June 15th 2010 we will be live at our new site!

Visit us for all the latest at
Small Things are Big Things!





Monday, June 14, 2010

Goodbye Blogger...

This is it folks!
My last post on blogger!!
Please visit my new bloggy home,
No more links or double posting!
Update your RSS feeds!!
 new blog

Sunday, June 13, 2010

I got it at Blog*Sugar...

How cute is this flower pin!?!?!

(and how bad do I need to get my hair done?!?)

i got it at blog sugar (2) I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers at a fun blogging party called, Blog*Sugar. The pin was a party favor made by The Pleated Poppy and given to us by LIFE.rearranged.

Read all about it at Eli's Lids: The blog!

To visit all the great bloggers who were at this par-tay go on down this Blog*Sugar List.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

I got it from Blessed Nest...

It’s no secret I love the gals from Blessed Nest. I mean, it was their idea to host our awesome monthly MOMday Morning giveawaysjust because we love mom bloggers!

I got a Blessed Nest Nesting pillow and Nest Egg!

See it all over at the new Eli's Lids Blog...
i got it at BN (4)

Friday, June 11, 2010

I got it at Anthropologie...

I got theses lil' suckers at Anthropologie.

Read all about it at Eli's Lids: The Blog
I got it at anthro salt and pepper_pic

Don't forget Eli's Lids has moved here.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

I got it at Sam's Club...

A Nesting splurge has been new drinking glasses and new pots and pans from Sam’s Club. reflection of corn on the cob
Check out the full post at the beginning of our I got it at Carnival. Hope this gets you thinking about something you “got!”

Check out my posts all week before the launch of the “I got it at…” carnival and come back to our new site http://www.elislids.com/blog Sunday (6/12) and link up in the fun!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Introducing the "I got it at..." carnival


I’m starting a weekly linky carnival.
Because I’m unpredictable like that!!
I’ve wanted to do it for over a year but getting pregnant seems to really get in the way of my blogging aspirations.
Check out the full details in the full post here at our new home http://www.elislids.com/blogs.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

MOMday Morning at Blessed Nest!

Wanna win this?? 
Win this awesome piece!!

Along with $75 cash AND a Nesting Pillow from Blessed Nest??

Head on over to by MOMday Morning over at Blessed Nest and leave a comment!
Another winner will get a "We Are Nashville Tote!" These Bags are 100% organic cotton green fabric that has been generously donated by fabric designer, Harmony Art Organic Design.

AND if you don't win just head on over to Joshua Sierk's site and commission your own!

Reminder!! We are moving to a new url! I'll be double posting here and our new home for a couple more weeks. Head on over to www.elislids.com/blog and get added to that RSS feed.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Potty time carnival!

(Don't forget to head on over to MOMday Morning for your chance to win $75, an original piece of art by Joshua Sierk and a Nesting Pillow from Blessed Nest!!!)

Who loves potty training???
(silence fills the room)


Head on over to our new home and read all about my potty training method:
And add to the carnival linky fun there too!!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Surfers Healing - Cowabunga Dude!

Reminder!! (MOM and GRANDMOM, this means you!!) We are moving to a new url! I'll be double posting here and our new home for a couple more weeks. Head on over to www.elislids.com/blog and get added to that RSS feed.

Eli's Lids has always had a heart for charity! We now donate 10% to an amazing Southern California Autism non-profit called Surfers Healing. But I'm not going to tell you about it... my friend Jo from A Sweet Dose of Truth & Autism in the OC over at OC Family will give you her moving first hand experience with Surfers Healing...

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Andrew loves water; he always has. He finds temporary respite from the confusion and chaos of autism along the sandy beaches of the California coast, and is happiest when he can linger in the bathtub at the end of a long and grueling day filled with behavioral intervention and taking orders from well-meaning therapists(and parents). The flat screen tv and Wii have got nothing on good old fashioned H20, and we indulge our son as often as we can. I’ve even been known to don a bathing suit at pool parties so that he can enjoy splashing around and I can be reminded that my carb addiction comes with unsightly side effects; a true testament to that little thing we call unconditional love for our children.

A few years ago we were introduced to Surfer’s Healing, a non-profit organization that provides children on the Autism Spectrum the opportunity to surf with a pro at local beaches across the nation. The day camp fills up at lighting speed, but somehow that year we were lucky and made it on the list.

We drove south from Orange County and arrived in San Diego on a blistering hot day in July. Before we even had the car parked, our son caught a glimpse of the ocean waves and began squealing with delight. We made our way towards the crowd gathered along the shore; parents, therapists, and children of all ages who had varying degrees of autism were enjoying the beautiful day sitting under the tents and splashing in the water. Professional surfers were easy to spot in their bright red wet suits, while children were being ushered towards friendly volunteers and buckled into life vests. I saw the giant surfboards laying in the sand, took one look at my then tiny five year old and had a momentary flood of fear come over me. A brief glance at the giant smile plastered across Andrew’s sun drenched face calmed my nerves and reminded me that we were here to give him the experience of a lifetime.

Minutes later it was our turn to approach the young woman who was holding a clipboard and shouting names above the rolling tides behind her. She handed us a bright yellow life vest and after some coaxing we were finally able to secure it onto Andrew. Our professional surfer introduced himself but I wasn’t paying attention; I just wanted my son back safely and in one piece. I gave Andrew one last hug and kiss and bit my lip as he was whisked away, into the wide open sea, the blue-gray water much larger and deeper than our bathtub at home. I focused on taking pictures while silently I prayed for his safe return.

And then it happened.

Andrew, easy to spot in yellow, began riding a wave, his little body standing on the surfboard, supported by the confidant pro; a gentle giant guiding them swiftly across the water. The look of peace and tranquility on Andrew’s face was something I will never forget. Gone was the distant gaze we struggled so hard to break through during therapy, and in its place was a little boy at one with his surroundings, a little boy suspended in time, a little boy given a chance to just live in the moment.

And that is what Surfer’s Healing is all about.

Giving these amazing kids the opportunity to do something they love.

And giving their parents the opportunity to witness a miracle, if even for just a little while.

Thank you Jo!! I'm thinking you'll need to post here more often...

Thursday, June 3, 2010

The latest at the OC Moms Blog

 (Reminder - We are moving to a new url! I'll be double posting here and our new home for a couple more weeks. Head on over to www.elislids.com/blog and get added to that RSS feed.)

My latest posts at the Orange County Moms Blog...

Do you talk about race with your kiddos?

See the very vanilla (and extremely adorable) me below and give me advice on my post “Are Children born colorblind?” about how to talk to my kiddos about this sensitive topic…

kids_and_raceUpdate: Great discussion about how to talk about race with your kiddos! Kristen from Rage Against the Minivan and multicultural mom through adoption has an awesome post called The Myth of the Colorblind Kid. AND recommended some great reads to help:
I have some once a month help… but I’m feeling a bit guilty about it… visit “My house is clean but my conscience isn’t.”

housekeeper

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Best seat in the house...

WW seat in house potty

Have tips, tricks, musings or hysterical stories about potty training?? I have a blog carnival coming Monday. Leave a comment and I’ll let you know when it’s up and you can add to the fun!

More Wordless Wednesday check out Angry Julie Monday and here and here.

(Reminder - We are moving to a new url! I'll be double posting here and our new home for a couple more weeks. Head on over to www.elislids.com/blog and get added to that RSS feed.)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Beat June Gloom!!

(Reminder - We are moving to a new url! I'll be double posting here and our new home for a couple more weeks. Head on over to www.elislids.com/blog and get added to that RSS feed.)

It’s June… and there’s gloom. We’ve been there before.

June gloom (1)

The natives are restless so we ran to the park.

You know we roll backwards

June gloom (2) Be sure to stop and look at EVERYTHING!!! We enjoy watching ants A LOT…

June gloom (3) Your shoe will com off at least 5 times… because they are on the wrong feet.

June gloom (4)

Happy June Gloom!!

June gloom (5)

Monday, May 31, 2010

Happy Memorial Day!!

A sneak peek at our 4th of July tees and onsies...
construction_pic
For love of country they accepted death…
- James A. Garfield

Important News!!
Eli's Lids is switching from blogger to wordpress.
What does that mean for you??
For the next couple of weeks I'll be posting here and at our new Eli's Lids blog... then ONLY at the other blog.
If you subscribe to the RSS feed or follow the blog be sure to follow the new blog ASAP!
The new blog is a work in progress so if you have any suggestions or notice something that isn't working PLEASE let me know and my IT guy (Hot Hubby) will fix it.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

I read a couple of books a month. 
One with my awesome-going-strong-for-3-years friends' book club and usually one for fun.
We don't have TV (hence the 3 kiddos in 4 years) and I'm an insomniac! When I can't sleep I read till my eyes roll.
Now I'm adding the SV Moms Book Club to my list of reads. My first read with them is I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced.
If you are wondering what this book is about - look no further than the title...
Nujood, one of 16 children from Yemen, is married off by her father at age 9 to a man in his 30s. (UG!!!) She is also the first child bride in Yemen to be granted a divorce! (Yay!) If you're thinking this tale took place in the 50's, think again! Nujood was divorced in 2008 and was named a Glamour Woman of the Year the same year.
The story follows her through her "happy" childhood in the country, moving to the city where her father can't hold a job and her siblings are forced to sell gum to tourists, her marriage & divorce, and ends up with her moving back in with her family.
(Nujood with her lawyer Shada Nassar on the night of the Glamour awards)
Instead of recapping the whole story. I'm just going to share my thoughts. Then you read the book and come back here and we can discuss!
My thoughts...
I'm a lover of happy endings. Honestly, I wanted the story to end with a modern Yemen family whisking Nujood away so she could be away from her khat addicted father and brainwashed dysfunctional family. Nujood is so brave for seeking out a divorce but I think her choosing to live with her family again shows that she is still under the thumb of her father and brothers. She wants to continue school and become a lawyer to help other child brides but without the support of her family I believe she will never accomplish that goal. i.e. the epilogue states that she has already dropped out of her school.
Is anyone else VERY disturbed by the tribal proverb in Yemen? "To guarantee a happy marriage, marry a nine-year-old."
Should you read the book...?
Yes! It's a quick read (I read it during nap time), the story is inspiring and will spark great conversations with your book club! 
Note: I'm very sensitive when it comes to child abuse (what mom isn't?) and I was worried Nujood's treatment by her husband would be too graphic. It wasn't. Though you know what happens and your heart just breaks. 
(Nujood and Nassar in Yemen)
Is Yemen the only place 9-year-olds are on display?
Nope, you don't have to look much farther than Orange County...
Read my post over at the Orange County Moms Blog!
Welcome to the strip club

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Pirate Birthday Party...

If you bake a cake, you should have a party.
For anyone.
Even pirates have birthdays... right?
Go all out!
Invite the whole neighborhood... I've heard they don't eat much!
A real candle to make it official...
Pirates are pretty rude so he might not send hand written Thank You notes.
But a verbal "thank you" should suffice!

Check out more Wordless Wednesdays at Angry Julie Monday and here.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

MOMday Morning Winner!!

I'm just giddy about announcing our MOMday Morning winner!!
The winner of...
 $75 cash-o-la
is...
 Maggie is 5 months preggers and has a 2-year-old boy! She needs our awesome products ASAP!!
A bit about her blog:  
Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy is a place where eco-minded Mothers and wanna-be green Mamas come to find a wealth of information from cleaning green to raising a baby green.
She has some great giveaways going right now:
Thanks to all who entered!! 
You'll have a chance to win the next MOMday Morning (Monday, 6/7/10) over at Blessed Nest Perch!
Good Luck!!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Boy or Girl???

We aren't finding out the gender of the little bun in my oven.
It's kind of strange not knowing... we found out with Eli and Cora Jane.
The a gender specific outfits are ready and washed for the trip home from the hospital...
Our 1st sonogram I think the technician slipped and said "his."
Our 2nd sonogram I think the technician slipped and said "she."
Our 3rd sonogram I think the technician slipped and said "he."
Hot Hubby thinks I'm trying too hard to hear between what they are saying.
Duh!!! 
Just because I don't want to know doesn't mean I don't really want to know.
What do you think?
Boy or Girl??

Friday, May 21, 2010

Box Tops 4 Education

Everyone has a junk drawer!
Even the most organized of families.
Admit it. 
You have one!
Just so you don't feel so bad, I'll show you mine...
The junk drawer is the home of tape, rubber bands, and a catch-all for... well... everything.
In our humble abode the junk drawer is also the place where I put all our Box Tops 4 Education.
What!?!?! You don't know about Box Tops 4 Education??? Well, let me tell ya...
Cereal boxes, hamburger helper (not that any of us would cook something so high in fat...um...yeah), cake mixes, frosting, diapers and more have this lil' label somewhere on the packaging:
You cut those suckers out (don't send them in ripped because parent volunteers have to spend hours cutting them straight) and send them in to the school of your choice and they get money! 
YES MONEY!! See all the Box Tops FAQs.
If your child is in grade school there might already be a program in place, but if there isn't then you should start one. I mean, it's free money!
My kiddos aren't in school yet but I just couldn't throw out free money. So I started saving them about 3 years ago. I send them to an Elementary School near the neighborhood I grew up. I knew they could use the extra help!
You can donate to them too, just send your tops to:
Rio Vista Elementary School
310 N. Rio Vista
Anaheim, CA 92806
c/o BOX TOPS
I'm hoping as my kiddos enter elementary school they will forgo their own school Box Top Program and choose to donate to a school that needs it more. We'll see!
Not all schools have a program so check the Box Tops site and call the school to make sure you are sending them to the correct person.
For the cost of a stamp (or a trip to the school you are donating to) you can make a huge difference in a lower income school.
REALLY!!!
The Box Tops site also has a handy printable coupon section for products you use all the time!

Side Note: Notice the envelope that says "Box Tops" with my initials on it? My mom clips Box Tops and other things she thinks I'll enjoy and fills an envelop to give me the next time she sees me. How cute is that??

Another Side Note: I didn't rearrange my junk drawer before I took the picture. There it is in all it's glory!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Magnetic Fishing set = Summer Bordem Buster

Want to learn how to make this awesome fabric fishing set?
I designed this sucker myself :)

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Visit me today at the Swapper!!

Hi Folks!
I'll be at the swapper (aka The OC Marketplace) today with my friend Cheri at Sweet Lily Tutus!
She has some new Birthday stuff for girls you will L-O-V-E!!
We'll also have the Baby Dazyed Journal... perfect gift for new moms! (I'll be using one in about 7 weeks)
Visit me.
PLEASE!!
The Eli's Lids SALE is almost over so get em' while they last!!
I'll give you a hug at the booth!!
Check my tweets or the Eli's Lids Facebook Fan page to find out what booth we'll be in.
Admission is only $2 (kiddos under 12 FREE)!
88 Fair Drive - Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Peace Out!!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Throw-up & Inland Empire Family giveaway

That just may be the most random title I have ever written!!
Check out my defining moment as a mom at the Orange County Moms Blog
Motherhood = Throw-up
Do you want to win a free family photoshoot with Elizabeth Luna Photography!?!?
Enter to win at my post on Inland Empire Family!
(The shoot must take place in Riverside County)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Kris Kross will make you Jump Jump

Eli put on his own clothes today...
Look familiar???
It made me want to JUMP JUMP!!
I sung him that song all day and solidified my status as embarrassing mommy!
But we all had a great time jumping!!

Don't forget to enter our MOMday Morning scran-tastic giveaway worth $325!!!
More Wordless Wednesday fun go to Angry Julie Monday and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Monday, May 10, 2010

MOMday Morning!

How exciting is this!?!?
Just to summarize the video for those of you who didn't watch it... (tsk tsk)
The 1st MOMday (Monday) Morning of EVERY month Blessed Nest, B.Y.O.G. & Eli's Lids will be hosting a giveaway.
But not just any giveaway...
The prizes are our awesome products:
one B.Y.O.G. Labor and Delivery Gown, one Blessed Nest Nesting pillow, one Eli's Lids Trucker Lid, one Eli's Lids Snowboarder Lid and one Eli's Lids tee!!
AND $75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES, you read that correctly.
$75 of Cold Hard Cash!
(Is a VISA gift card "cold" and "hard"... maybe more like room temperature pliable plastic?)
 Why?!?!? (you ask)
Because we love you.
REALLY!!
We are so proud to be part of this amazing Community of Moms and Bloggers and we want to give back to Y-O-U! 
In an effort to reach out and connect everybody with everybody,
(too lofty of a goal?... I don't think so)
every month we will be featuring a Mom Blogging Community/Forum AND a Mom Blogger.
We created MOMday Morning to serve, love & nurture mom bloggers, the women/men who support them, & their readers. 
Because we all need something to look forward to on Monday... um... I mean MOMday, right??
Don't you love it!?!?
I knew you would!
You don't have to be a mom or write a blog to enter.
You just have to be you... which I think YOU do so well! ;)

This month we are highlighting... 
The Smart Girl's Guide to Life
Blissfully Domestic is just packed with loads of fun things for everybody! From recipes to crafts to green living to giveaways to blogging tips! They even host a lil' shindig you may have heard of called BlissDom. They are a one stop shop for all things to make you... well... Blissfully Domestic!
Check them out and it won't disappoint. (FYI - I write for Blissful Creating, Arts and Crafts section.)
 Our featured blogger this month is none other than the founder of Blissfully DomesticAllison Worthington
She started a personal blog, Mrs. Fussypants, in 2007 and things have really snowballed for this lovely Mom Blogger! She is the co-founder of the oh-so-popular BlissDom Conference, and the author of the digital book, The Smart Girls' Guide to Twitter. If that doesn't keep her busy enough she has 5 sons and a step daughter to boot!! A recent post I love of hers is about choosing to keep a personal blog public
(Thx for your input Allison! We really appreciate you. Smooches, The MOMday Morning Gals)
Allison lives just outside of Nashville Tennessee amidst all the tragic flooding! Check out her moving post about the Nashville floods (complete with loads of pictures) and her thorough list of ways to help folks effected by the floods!
Wanna help right away?
Donate to Hands on Nashville. 
 How to win... (open to all US residents)
Main entry (mandatory): Leave a comment telling us how you make MOMday (Monday) fun in your house. (My favorite tip just may get a lil' something in the mail too!)

So you want extra entries??
I don't blame you! 
These prizes kick a&$!!
~Follow Blessed Nest, B.Y.O.G. & Eli's Lids on Twitter or let us know you already do. (1 entry each)
~Tweet the following about MOMday Morning! (1 entry every day!)
Be refreshed for MOMday Morning http://bit.ly/bTg6vM Enter to win awesome prizes AND $75 cash from @BlessedNest @BYOG & @ElisLids
~Become a fan of Blessed Nest, B.Y.O.G. & Eli's Lids on Facebook or let us know you already are. (1 entry each)
~Add the MOMday Morning button to your sidebar. Code below. (1 entry)
MOMday Morning


For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you follow Blessed Nest, B.Y.O.G. & Eli's Lids on twitter leave 3 separate comments!
For more detailed rules go here.

***Giveaway open 2 weeks! Ends MOMday (Monday) May 24th 9:00pm PST***

Thank you for serving, loving & nurturing us throughout the years.
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