Eli's Lids

Goodbye Blogger...

2010-06-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

This is it folks!

My last post on blogger!!

Please visit my new bloggy home,

Eli's Lids: The Blog

No more links or double posting!

Update your RSS feeds!!

I got it at Blog*Sugar...

2010-06-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

How cute is this flower pin!?!?!

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

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.

I got it from Blessed Nest...

2010-06-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

It’s no secret I love the gals from Blessed Nest. I mean, it was their idea to host our awesome monthly MOMday Morning giveaways… just 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 Anthropologie...

2010-06-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

I got theses lil' suckers at Anthropologie.

Read all about it at Eli's Lids: The Blog

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

I got it at Sam's Club...

2010-06-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

A Nesting splurge has been new drinking glasses and new pots and pans from Sam’s Club.
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!

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

2010-06-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

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.

MOMday Morning at Blessed Nest!

2010-06-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Wanna win this??

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.

Potty time carnival!

2010-06-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

(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:

The Lazy Mom’s (Slow) Potty Training Method

And add to the carnival linky fun there too!!

Surfers Healing - Cowabunga Dude!

2010-06-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

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...

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...

The latest at the OC Moms Blog

2010-06-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

(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…

Update: 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:

NurtureShock by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman (You can find it on Amazon which had the best price!)
I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla: Raising Healthy Black and Biracial Children in a Race-Conscious World: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Marguerite A. Wright (Found it at half.com, prices as low as $.96!)

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.”

Best seat in the house...

2010-06-02T14:05:00.001-07:00

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.)

Beat June Gloom!!

2010-06-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

(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.

The natives are restless so we ran to the park.

You know we roll backwards…

Be sure to stop and look at EVERYTHING!!! We enjoy watching ants A LOT…

Your shoe will com off at least 5 times… because they are on the wrong feet.

Happy June Gloom!!

Happy Memorial Day!!

2010-05-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

A sneak peek at our 4th of July tees and onsies...

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.

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

2010-05-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

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

Pirate Birthday Party...

2010-05-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

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.

MOMday Morning Winner!!

2010-05-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm just giddy about announcing our MOMday Morning winner!!

The winner of...

$75 cash-o-la

a Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow

a B.Y.O.G. Labor and Delivery Gown

an Eli's Lids Snowboarder Lid

an Eli's Lids Trucker Lid

and an Eli's Lids Tee

is...

Maggie from Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy!!

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:

~Episencial Skincare Giveaway

~Safety 1st Nature Next Bamboo Baby Gate

~Seventh Generation environmentally responsible household solutions

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!!

Boy or Girl???

2010-05-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

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??

Box Tops 4 Education

2010-05-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

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!

Magnetic Fishing set = Summer Bordem Buster

2010-05-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

Want to learn how to make this awesome fabric fishing set?

I designed this sucker myself :)

Head on over to Blissfully Domestic for my How-To post!

Visit me today at the Swapper!!

2010-05-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

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)!

at the OC Fairs & Events Center

88 Fair Drive - Orange County Fairgrounds

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Peace Out!!

Throw-up & Inland Empire Family giveaway

2010-05-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

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)

Kris Kross will make you Jump Jump

2010-05-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

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.

MOMday Morning!

2010-05-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

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...

Blissfully Domestic

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 Domestic, Allison 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)

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.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day 2006 - fetus Eli gave me a snoogle...

Mother's Day 2007 - We started our tradition of a Mother's Day picnic after church...
I'm not a huge gift gal and I thought that a beach day/picnic tradition will carry on through their teen years. They can surf (with daddy) and scope out for hotties (do people still say that?) while I get my beach reading on!
(found out I was preggers with Cora Jane 3 weeks later!!)

Mother's Day 2008 - Hanging with Mommy friends at church. Can you find Eli and 3 month old Cora Jane?? I'm sure we went to the beach for a picnic but we must have forgotten our camera...

Mother's Day 2009 - A walk and a picnic at the lake.

Mother's Day 2010 - We went to church then expected a hot afternoon for the beach picnic. But it was freezing!! Thank goodness I'm always ready with Lids in the car!!

We hit up Cafe Rio for lunch then went to get Cora Jane's first hair cut... because if you can't go to the beach you get your hair cut... right?? Very random... but I loved every second :) I'm thinking I have a date with the laundry pile this evening!

Being a mom rocks!! Whether you are soaking up the sun or doing laundry today, I'm sending you blessings!

Check back tomorrow, as we extend the MOM's Day fun with a big surprise!

$5 $10 $15 SALE

2010-05-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

In honor of our new Summer Lid...

There shall be a sale...

Don't forget the Summer Lid is available in black or red...

How do you like them apples???

Bird's Nest - Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

Remember the cute tree I clipped the flower bows on?
Eli brought me the bird and told me the bird needed a nest.
I told him we would make one... thinking it would be a fun craft.
This is what I found on the tree later that day...

He made his own nest with the blocks!!

Don't forget to check back on Monday for the big reveal of our Top Secret Mom Project!

Check out Angry Julie Monday and 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesday links!

Whew... an Easter Review!

2010-05-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I never did an Easter Review!
I mean, it's my favorite holiday!!
Oddly enough it's also the only holiday Hot Hubby and I always exchange gifts!!!
Weird, huh?
You already saw our Eggs and our early morning.
The kiddos adored their Easter Baskets. Their favorite items were the capes from Stringbean Company...

Hot Hubby got new Rainbows and I got loads of candy and new Bare Essentials foundation. (Oh how I love a practical gift... I was just about out!!)

We headed over to my parents house for the usual home smoked tri-tip and all the fixins'! The tri-tip is the best. You should come next year and try it!
My parents throw the best Easter Egg Hunt. Some eggs are designated "big kid" eggs... as in they aren't filled with candy or stickers like the lil' kid eggs... they are filled with cash-o-la!!

This year, instead of one grand prize with $200 in it... OK... $20 :) There were 2 eggs with $10! Wouldn't you know it, one of the little ones got one of the $10 eggs. She threw the useless "paper" on the ground and took the candy out! HA!! We let her keep it... I mean, look how cute she is...

Here's our group shot!

I love these folks.

As I look at this picture the thing that strikes me most is only my parents and grandmom are blood related to me. (Not counting my children of the fetus, of course!)

I often wonder about family dynamics and relationships.

Is there actually something about being "blood" related that makes you closer?

Is there something more powerful about the relationships that aren't blood? You know, the kind you choose!!

What makes a family?

I would love your thoughts!!

As the day wore on, it stated to get a bit chilly. Good thing we had our Lids!!

Navy Snowboarder

Pink Snowboarder

Now I'm off to the dentist to get a filling fixed. Because we wouldn't want to put Hot Hubby's bonus toward anything fun. Wahh wahhh wahhh...

PS
I've been working on something REALLY REALLY REALLY awesome with Blessed Nest and BYOG.
One hint...
On the first Monday of every month our three businesses will be helping you.

Yes, Y-O-U!!

The actual debut will be Monday, May 10th! (in honor of Mother's Day)
Check back here on the 10th. I promise it won't disappoint!!
REALLY!!

Our Lips are Sealed

2010-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do if you are a mom blogger with your mom blogger friends?
Make a Lip Dub of a kick a$& 80's song, of course!!
Check out me and my buds Suz (Alive in Wonderland), Marcy (The Glamorous Life Association), Andrea (Hip Moms Who Work), Roxanne (Me and My Monster) & Beckey (Hippo Brigade) make fools of ourselves...

If you can't get enough, and want to see me in all my awesomeness, check out the next one! We did it in one take with my makeshift webcam...

(stop laughing!)

Still can't get enough!?!?!?
Check out my post over at the OC Moms Blog about Facebook. I reveal some Facebook statuses that didn't make the cut!

Guys' Day Out - Ocean Institute

2010-04-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

While us gals were enjoying some bridal shower fun (see the awesome flower bow favors), Hot Hubby took Eli out for a Guys' Day at the beach.

(Pictured large to small. We are 4.5 peas in a pod!)

The boys stumbled upon the Ocean Institute in Dana Point during a search for a fun beach. Our pirate obsessed son was drawn in by the Pilgrim, a tall ship parked in the harbor.
They paid admission ($4.50 for Eli and $6.50 for Daddy) and got to explore the institute! First was the octopus who was surprisingly more active that usual... or so they were told!

Petting the starfish and exploring the pirate ship! (FYI- Don't be late for the 11:45 tour! They got there at 11:47 and had to jump a gate to get in.)

Eli wants one of these at home. I guess the t-ball cannon isn't cutting it anymore!

Daddy let Eli do whatever he wanted... which was throw rocks. Oh to be a 3-year-old boy!

It was a good day!

What better way to top off the Guys' Day than dinner at Red Robin...

Tall Boat - Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

More Wordless Wednesday fun visit Angry Julie Monday and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Laundry break = Twilight T-ball

2010-04-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

We were sick.

The whole fam-damily!

Throw-up was involved.

I took a break from laundry and the hubby and kiddos got outside for some twilight T-ball.

As if you need another reason to live in Orange County... check out this sky.

Eli starts his first T-ball team next month. Hot Hubby is more than excited!

Cora could care less.
Our tee is from Nannie and Nonno... we mostly use it as a pirate cannon!

I'm sure you're wondering why the kiddos aren't wearing Lids... they are in the laundry! They are washer/dryer safe, you know!

Earth Day!

2010-04-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day 2010!
I thought I would share a little Earth Day fodder...
*If you're a OC local head on over to the etnies company store and buy a pair of shoes.
Why? (you're thinking)
The answer:

Decline a bag or bring your own reusable one and get 10% off!!

I had the chance to visit etnies about 6 months ago and I can honestly tell you that the founder/owner, Pierre Andre Senizergues, of etnies has a passion for the environment that is infectious! My favorite quote from Pierre that day was,

"We can make a bamboo shoe, but if the process of making the shoe still generates the some carbon emissions, what's the point?"

WOW! I had never thought about that! When we buy organic, we assume the factory making it is Green. That may not be the case!! etnies switched factories and was able to decrease 20% of their carbon emissions! Check out their Eco-Audit here. It will make you proud to buy the shoes! Plus they are really cute.
See:

*You all know I'm big on saving. I really believe every penny counts!! Show your kiddos with Pennies for the Planet that even one person donating one penny can make a big difference for the environment.

Funding from this year's Pennies for the Planet program will protect endangered coastlines, including:
~Safeguarding Louisiana coastal marshes and helping to support the scientists and volunteers restoring them
~Protecting nesting shore birds like the Western Snowy Plover that live on California's sea shores, and
~Restoring Florida's Panther Island to improve the water quality and habitat for endangered Florida panthers, wood storks, and gopher tortoises.
This program is geared for school age kiddos (starting with 2nd grade) but I'm sure you can still donate. You probably won't qualify for the prizes... BUT it's not about the prizes anyway... it's about teaching your kiddos that they can have a positive impact on the environment! Visit Pennies for the Planet for all the info!

Summer Lid!

2010-04-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

If you wear a Summer Lid...

No one will notice you're in your underwear...

(Eli threw up before before coming into the Swapper so Hot Hubby stripped him down and came in anyway. We fit right in. How great is that Lid!?!?)

More Wordless Wednesday fun at Angry Julie Monday.

Swapper overview and bullies...

2010-04-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends!
We had a blast at the Swapper yesterday!
I'm pretty tired today... so tired that I let the kiddos eat fruit snacks for breakfast.
REALLY!
Here is a whrrl overview of the OC Marketplace and a bit about Claim Jumper's awesome customer service last night!!
Wow... impressive!!

More check-ins at OC Marketplace

More to come!

But while you wait for the post comment on this story about how I dealt with Eli and Cora Jane's first bully at Chick-fil-a over at the Orange County Moms Blog.
Warning: I won't be getting the Mother of the Year award.

OC Marketplace Invite

2010-04-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Eli's Lids will be at the OC Marketplace tomorrow all day long.

You should come visit.

REALLY.

It's the longest day ever.

REALLY.

Please come visit.

Pretty Please... with Hot Tamales on top!

We'll have a full stock of Lids and tees.

AND there will be a preview of our new Summer Lid.

AND we'll be sharing our booth with...

Sweet Lily Tutus,

Sewing the Seed,

and Baby Dayzed.

If that doesn't entice you enough... you can pick up some awesome produce there.

**WARNING: Read this before going to the Swapper.**

Vital information you should know first!

Admission is only $2 (kiddos under 12 FREE)!
at the OC Fairs & Events Center
88 Fair Drive - Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Lids, Legging and Snap Peas...

2010-04-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

A perfect brisk Spring walk needs:
Lids...

...Leggings... (get em' here)

...and Snap Peas!

Visit Angry Julie for more Wordless Wednesdays!

Something new...

2010-04-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed I haven't been blogging much lately.

It's not because my belly is a-growing by the second.

It's not because I'm planning something AWESOME with Blessed Nest and BYOG. (trust me you'll love it!!)

It's not because I have some fun videos coming out with She's Crafty and She's Cookin'.

It's not because I'm prepping for the OC Marketplace with Sweet Lily Tutus this Sunday. (4/18 in Costa Mesa. Come visit!!)

Or because the weather is finally good and I've been kicking it at the park with Bosh Images!

It's because something new is coming at Eli's Lids!!

A new website.

A new beach tee.

And a new Summer Lid!

Forget those lame bucket hats...

You expect more out of us right!?!?!?!

You'll love our new style... but I can't show you yet!

Stay tuned: Our Summer Lid will debut the first week in May.

Dumb Donald - Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

Cora Jane loves puting Lids on all by herself.

Sometimes they are inside out...

Sometimes she is just silly!

Does that remind you on anyone?

Who knew?

I should have known Cora Jane's fashion was inspired by the 70's after her love of the jumpsuit when Eli found the Easter bunny's house last year!!

More Wordless Wednesday fun visit Angry Julie and here.

Happy Easter from our eggs...

2010-04-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

Eggcellent time this year decorating eggs with feathers, googlie eyes and glitter. (Finally found a hard boiled egg recipe that works!!)

Got up for the 7am service. We were actually on time... shocking!!

We (us and the family we went with) were the only people with kiddos. But they did great amidst all the older folks.

I even broke out the pearls...

Pretend City and Bosh Images Photography Worshop

2010-04-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

We have winners!
Monica from Modern Peanut won the Family 4 pack to Pretend City!

Soni from the Stringbean Company won the Bosh Images Photography Workshop!

Thanks for playing everybody.
I wish I had prizes for all.
Speaking of prizes...
I have a little secret (no mom, we aren't having twins!). Blessed Nes t, BYOG and Eli's Lids are planning something fun especially for our fellow Mom Bloggers.
Details coming at the end of the month.
Launch date Mother's Day!!!

Easter at dippin' dots

2010-04-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

Our first Easter activity was last Sunday over at dippin' dots in Fountain Valley!

The Easter bunny was there!

The crew was all there...

Have you heard of dippin' dots??

It's ice cream in little balls.

Super Fun.

Super Yummy.

Everybody loves em'.

I had banana split, Hot Hubby got Snickers and the kiddos got their usual... RAINBOW!!
Here is a lesson on how to eat them so you are prepared:

Most folks can just eat them with a spoon...

If you have a little trouble, you can fill your spoon then pick the dots off the spoon with your fingers...

Or you can just use your fingers...

Or forget everything and do this...

"You're Welcome!!!"

You never know who you'll spot at dippin' dots.
Of course you'll see Debbie the dippin' dot woman and if you're lucky you might catch Angry Julie with Angry Toddler chomping on some dots! (Adam the Dad was there too!)

Thanks for the Easter celebration dippin' dots! Can't wait to visit again!

Need some last minute Easter basket tips. Check out my post over at Blessed Nest here!

Anniversary review

2010-03-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

I like my hubby.

A lot.

People always comment on how happy we are.

Probably because we make-out in public

Really.

Our marriage is a huge priority.

Someday our kiddos will be grown up and we'll just have each other... gasp!

We gotta stay connected now so we won't be in therapy later.

Really!

On our actual anniversary we went to:

Sushi Box is a TINY hole-in-the-wall place in Costa Mesa. A friend recommended it as a "cheap good sushi place." We got all this food for under $20...

It's about 10 square feet and the decor was... unique. But the place was hoppin'.

Then we headed on over to the Orange County Performing Arts Center to see the Bolshoi Ballet in Don Quixote. We (yep, we) love the Performing Arts Center! There is just something so fun about getting dressed up for a live performance... no matter what it is! (FYI Hairspray will be there April 6th-11th & The Lion King, May 26th- June 13th!)
After the show we cruised to The Melting Pot for dessert!

$15 gets you a small fondue pot and loads of goodies to dip into it. Yum!!

The highlight of our anniversary was taking a weekend away in Palm Springs.

Sans kiddos.

As in lay out by the pool all day with a book.

It was awesome... REALLY!

We stayed at the Andreas Hotel and Spa.

It's beautiful (think old Hollywood meets Mediterranean) and downtown so we were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go... unless we were at the in-house pool or spa of course!

Read all about it in my whrrl story... Warning: a giant bathtub is involved!

Eli's Lids - How to shape the brim

2010-03-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

The shipping and the wash can flatten or curve the brim on our Snowboarder Lid. Here's how to get your brim looking perfect!

The more your lil' guy (or gal) wears the Lid the better shape it will have!

Eli's Lids - Shaping the Brim from Kara Noel Lawson on Vimeo.
(Did you notice Eli's shadow on the left??? He is picking his nose at the end!!! How can I not be inspired by that little guy?)

Shop Lids here!

Bosh Images Workshop Giveaway!

2010-03-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Remember Bosh Images? (If you don't get updated here.)

I'm beyond excited for this giveaway!

REALLY!!

Do you want to learn how to take pictures like this:

or this?

After a hands-on-all-day-workshop from Noel and Mali at Bosh Images you will be able to!

Or at least be closer than you were before!

Win this workshop right now!! (you don't need a blog to enter just leave a comment)

Here are the workshop details...
When: Saturday, April 24th
Location: Orange County exact place TBA
Time: 10-2pm
Includes: Hand-on Class, Delicious Lunch, Practice Photo shoot, and endless encouragement from Mali and Noel.
$175.00 value!!!
Go here and click on "the class" at the bottom for some Q & A about the workshop!

Here's How You Win...
*****MUST be a Southern California Resident or willing to travel to Orange County, CA for the workshop!!!*****
Main entry (mandatory): Click on over to Bosh Images blog OR Bosh website OR the Anytime Art site, OR Mali's site (whew!) then come back here and let me know one of your favorite shots in a comment! (note: you just need to go to one site... just giving loads of options to see their AMAZING work!!)
In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...
~Subscribe to the Bosh Images blog RSS Feed in the navigation bar. (3 entries)
~Follow Bosh Images on twitter HERE! Leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already follow (2 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "So Cal residents!! Learn how to use that camera with this free photo workshop w/ @boshimages here http://bit.ly/dcjk8J $175 value!" (3 entries per day)
~Facebook about the giveaway with a link to this post! (3 entries per day)
~Follow the Eli's Lids blog (2 entries)
~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you tweet about the giveaway leave 3 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Thursday April 1st 9:00pm PST. Which leaves plenty of time to buy the workshop if
Whether you win or buy the workshop, it won't be long till you are doing this...

We Are Everywhere!

2010-03-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

My picture graced the pages of OC Family last month.
When I showed my mom, her exact words were,
"Is that it?"
The picture is the size of a postage stamp...
but it's still there!!
Here is the cover with my lovely friend Suz on the cover and my cute lil' postage stamp...

This month I was also in the magazine. This time my pic was more of small label size.
I'm moving up!!
Maybe if I get any professional shots I'll get to be centerfold!
(Any photographers want to shoot me for free?)
Ha!
Cover and me with my blogger friends...

Pick up a FREE copy of OC Family almost anywhere. I get mine at Juice it Up. They are a great resource for OC moms!!
Click on the She's Crafty button in my sidebar to see all my posts!!

I've just started writing for the new Orange County Moms Blog.
Check out my first post. It's a tongue and cheek Guide to NOT Parenting.
I'll be posting there a few times a month. Click on this button in my sidebar for a direct link to all my posts.

You know I love the gals at Blessed Nest!

I've just started sharing tips there about living debt free. Getting into debt doesn't happen overnight... it's all those "Little Things" that add up. Visit Blessed Nest often by clicking on the button (pictured below) in my sidebar for quick tips you can use to get out of the red and into the black!

My first post is about the awesomeness of buying used on the Net.

Eli's Lids was featured on Scout - A Mom's Guide to Stylish Living.
Who can blame them?
Our Lids ROCK!!
See the post here with our Lids included in a list of Cool things for little boys.

Whew... we really are everywhere!!

From my lil’ Leprechauns

2010-03-17T16:08:00.000-07:00

If leprechauns come to you house on St. Patty’s Day they may…
… Flip things in the house upsidedown
…Make all the potty water green (thanks for that tip Andrea!)
…Cause the morning eggs to turn green
See:

Will you be wearing green or orange today?
We’ll be in green because of the American tradition with sprigs of orange because of our religious views!
Have no clue what I’m talking about? Read this and this.

Happy Birthday Katie B!!

Get some Green in your house... quick!

2010-03-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't get the memo, tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day.

If you haven't adorned you home is shamrocks there is still time :)

Make this adorable shamrock garland in minutes:

She's Crafty - Shamrock Garland from Kara Noel Lawson on Vimeo.

(you can see my belly getting bigger!! I'm 24 weeks preggers!)

I'll be making the traditional corn beef for dinner and I'll do a drop of green food coloring in our Martinelli’s. Dessert = green cupcakes.

One of my friend's family traditions is to have green pancakes!

Any other fun family traditions?

Please share!

Pretend City - Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

(Enter to with the Family 4 pack of Pretend City tickets here!)
The contents of my purse emptied onto the passenger seat to clear room before going into Pretend City. (no wonder it weighs 30 pounds!)

Eli in the midst of play inside Pretend City...
Because we all know Firemen buy eggs at the grocery store in full fire gear then sit in the middle of the park to count them!

2-for-1 admission to Pretend City on Way to Play days:
March 12th (this Friday), April 9th, May 14th, June 11th, July 9th, August 13th, September 10th, October 8th, November 12th & December 10th!
(Click coupon below to print and redeem to get the 2-for-1 deal)

For more Wordless Wednesdays visit Angry Julie Monday and here.
Don't forget to enter the Pretend City giveaway for a Family 4 Pack of tickets!

Pretend City - Good To Go!!

2010-03-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

(awesome giveaway at the end of post!!)

Where is this?

Nope, not my kitchen!

It's one tiny section in the amazing expanse of warehouse known in these parts as

Pretend City.

If you've never been, I'll walk you through a day there and tell you about their awesome Good To Go From Head To Toe, Family Fun & Wellness Fair happening this Saturday March 13th!!

You gotta go!!

REALLY!

(aside from all the awesome stuff they'll have at the Fair, kiddos get in for free!)

Start your day with a healthy breakfast...

Get into the "City" and claim your vehicleof choice. Eli loves the police car and Cora Jane seems to always gravitate to the mini Mercedes Benz... of course!

One of our favorite places is the Marina.

I let them get soaked.

And they do!

Through the Good To Go program you'll learn all about child development through play. Cora Jane just loved the folks from My Gym in Yorba Linda! Check out their March Calender for all the info!

Pretend City has a little eating area for you to have lunch. Complete with microwaves for Easy Mac!

(not that I ever eat that stuff... he he he!)

Of course I was running late and didn't pack a lunch. Thankfully LuLu's Creperie Cafe was there to save the day! I got a sandwich and it was delicious (healthy to boot)!!

Some things mommies should know...

~Guests aren't allowed in without a kiddo, but there is no parent/child matching system. I was assured that the "typical" child abductor usually doesn't have children with them.

~There is no definite child barrier (i.e. stanchions, child gate...) on the front door but someone is supposed to be watching the front door.

~There are lockers to stow away diaperbags, lunches and purses so parents' hands are free to play play play!!

~On a busy day it can be hard to keep track of more than one child at a time.

~They have family bathrooms with a little table to put all your gear. One of my personal pet peeves is when a bathroom doesn't have a place to put my 30 pounds of... whatever it is I carry around everyday!

Another REALLY cool thing about the Good To Go deal-e-o is the free screenings! My kiddos got to see Tina Azin DDS a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics to make sure they have no cavities and all their teeth.

She was great with the kiddos and they are healthy as can be.

Why am I so happy in this picture?

We were at Pretend City from 9am-1pm and the kiddos are guaranteed to have a LONG nap.

P.S. Pretend City is ideal for a one-on-one Daddy Date Day. I got this picture while Hot Hubby and Eli were there. Eli still can't stop talking about how much fun he had at the "fancy place" with Daddy!!

Don't you want to go!!

Ticket Prices: Infant-12 months is $2

Children and Adults are $10

Military and Family Members are $8

You can win 4 FREE tickets to Pretend City right here!!

Here's How You Win...
*****MUST be a Southern California Resident or willing to travel to Orange County, CA to use the tickets!!!*****

You don't have to have a blog to win! Just be sure to include your email address when you comment!

Main Entry (Mandatory)- Visit the Pretend City site here and leave a comment with one thing you learned or like about the Good To Go From Head To Toe Programs!

For loads of extra entries:

~Follow Pretend City on twitter here. (1 entry)

~Become a Fan of Pretend City Children's Museum here. (1 entry)

~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter here. (1 entry)

~Tweet about the giveaway. Copy and paste: "Visit @ElisLids to win 4 free tickets to @PretendCity Details: http://bit.ly/9ABkzk" (1 entry can be done once a day)

~FB about the giveaway. Copy and paste: "Sol Cal Familys!! Eli's Lids to win 4 free tickets to Pretend City Children's Museum Details: http://bit.ly/9ABkzk" (1 entry)

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post!

i.e. If you follow Pretend City on twitter and FB about the giveaway, leave 2 separate comments.

***Giveaway open one week! Ends Tuesday March 16th 9:00pm PST***

And don't forget to visit Pretend City on March 13th for the Good To Go From Head To Toe Family Fun & Wellness Fair!!

Kiddos involved in the Wellness Fair get in for free that day!!

Oh, and Wild Wing will be there!

Building Tents - Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

"From there to here,

from here to there,

funny things are everywhere."

~Dr. Seuss
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
More Wordless Wednesday check out Angry Julie Monday & here.

Dr. Seuss

2010-03-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Dr Seuss!
My all time favorite quote is From One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.
"From there to here,
from here to there,
funny things are everywhere."

I really do think about this quote when we are having one of those days. Like this morning when I dropped the glass jar of jam on the tile and jam and glass flew everywhere.
It stunk... but was kinda funny at the same time!

Dr Seuss is great for car trips.
See:

The TV show (aka - the kiddos' Valentines Day gifties)... not one of his greatest accomplishments.
Eli insists that a song in Pontoffel Pock & His Magic Piano goes something like this,

"Blow-up Boobie Bag! Blow-up Boobie Bag!"

As much as we love the books, those DVDs will disappear in a couple of weeks!
Here is a clip of good old Pontoffel Pock. If you can stomach all 10 minutes, let me know if you can figure out where the "Boobie Bag" song comes from.
We're stumped!

Wish it was a Taga ride...

2010-03-01T22:03:00.000-08:00

Confession: I'm kinda a lazy gal. If I can get more than one thing done at the same time, I'll do it!!
We had a wagon walk with 3 objectives:
#1 Get the kiddos out. (Cabin fever from the two days of rain... we are so weather spoiled in the OC!)
#2 Errands at the grocery store.
#3 Exercise for mommy.

Objective #1 Get kiddos out - COMPLETE!
Kiddos were out and running. We climbed and played and got sufficiently worn out for naps. (Also, a little too worn out for a "pleasant" shopping experience... more below.)
Eli always picks me flowers. I can't wait to give him to his lovely bride someday. If he is anything like his daddy (and he will be) he's gonna be the best hubby ever!

Objective #2 Errands - Complete. But with casualties...
We did make it to the store. But I kept knocking down displays with my hard-to-maneuver wagon and the kiddos kept hopping out to climb on the patio furniture. At one point, unbeknownst to me, Cora Jane was standing in the wagon and I gave it a firm tug.
She ate it!
Then screamed the whole rest of the shopping trip. Not fun.

Objective #3 Exercise- INCOMPLETE! Arrgggg!
Since we played and walked at about .3 MPH there was no exercise for mommy. I probably did burn calories in the store trying to get everything as fast as possible with Cora Jane screaming. BUT that was counterproductive because the stress/embarrassment probably took a couple of years off my life expectancy!

The whole ~~ordeal~~ trip took over an hour.
I'm sure it didn't help much that I had seen this little ditty at the Silicon Valley Moms Group event a week ago...

This sucker (aka Taga bike) converts from a bike (double seat is optional!!) to a stroller in seconds.

REALLY!

I did it.

Here is a picture of the lovely Carla Duharte Razura of Baby JJ Design riding on one and the pic she took of me while riding...

Can you imagine?

I'm riding my Taga.

The kiddos would have had the wind in their hair.

We could stop off now and then for some nature fun.

I could convert that thing to a stroller when we got into the store.
(STRAPPED IN!!!)

Quick in and out. (FYI - there is ample room for shopping goodies in the bottom of that thing!)

Then maybe off to the lake for a few calorie burning laps before heading home.

I could even use this for the too-far-to-walk-but-still-super-close-to-home trips.

You know the kind... It takes longer to load/unload/load/unload the kiddos than it takes to drive there!!

Sigh...

Too bad I was just imagining.

I want one!

Don't you??

Follow them on Facebook here to get all the details.

Ode to 5 Years of Bliss! (aka Closer by Jars of Clay)

2010-02-26T16:05:00.000-08:00

(engagement 9/13/04)

I’ll drop out of the race for more personal space

Cuz the rocket’s we're in, get’s so cold and I miss your skin

that’s just how I’m feelin.

(wedding 2/26/05 & 1 year anniversary in Hawaii 2/26/06 - few months preggers with Eli)

If you need more love, well you’ve got to get close to me

If you want my love, well you’ve got to get closer to me

(Going into labor with Eli 9/15/06)

No unreachable itch, if you hemorrhage I’ll stitch

You are tears, I’m a cheek, I’m a pail on your boat with slow leaks

out to sea for weeks

If you want my love, well you’ve got to get close to me

If you need my love, well you’ve got to get closer to me

Oh, if you want my love

(Cora Jane born 2/14/08)

I don’t understand why we can’t get close enough

I want your kite strings tangled in my trees all wrapped up

I don’t understand why we can’t get close enough

I’ll be the comets that are fallin’ from the sky you light up…light up

(Dancing the night away 12/6/08)

You’re my shirt iron-on

I’m the tick, you’re the bomb

You’re the L and the V, I’m the O and the E

Am I speaking clearly?

(4 year anniversary 2/26/09)

If you want my love, well you’ve got to get close to me

Ooh, if you want my love…

(Annual Pageant of the Masters 7/18/09)

I don’t understand why we can’t get close enough

I want your kite strings tangled in my trees all wrapped up

I don’t understand why we can’t get close enough

I’ll be the comets that are fallin from the sky you light up

(hot date in LA last week)

Because I don’t understand why we can’t get close enough

I miss the shivers in my spine every time that we touch.

Lyrics by Jars of Clay (Hot Hubby's Favorite Band)

This is my favorite Love Song right now!

Listen to it here!

(The whole CD is amazing but this song is addicting!!)

Where's my lollipop? - Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

The inspiration for Eli's Lids inspires me again...

More Wordless Wednesday visit Angry Julie Monday, 5 Minutes for Mom.

Is your birthday on a holiday?

2010-02-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

I may have mentioned once or twice (or a million times) that Cora's birthday is on Valentines Day.

Side Note: She was due on February 5th and the ONLY day I DIDN'T want her to be born was on Valentine's day. Ha! Sure enough that little sucker came 9 days late, on V-day!

After she was born I couldn't help but be sad that she was going to get shistered on her birthday every year by her future husband or she would be one of those folks that has such a high expectation for their birthday that nothing could ever live up.
My idea to off set the future therapy factor is to celebrate Valentine's Day on the 13th. That way...
a) Cora gets her actual Birth Day to herself
b) Eli isn't getting a gift on his sister's actual birthday (because it is totally lame if your sibling gets a gift on your birthday... I mean shouldn't they learn to be excited when someone else gets something special and not feel entitled to something themselves!)
c) If we do her birthday after the V-day festivities then (my thought is) the birthday is what will be most remembered.
What do you think?
REALLY!
I need to know.
Is your birthday on a holiday? (or near one?)
What did your parents do that totally sucked?
What did they do that was totally awesome?

So here is what we did for Valentines Day... you know... the one on February 13th!

I picked up these Dr Seuss DVDs for 5 bucks each after Christmas.

They love em'!

Not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

The animators were most definitely high as a kite when they put together these shows.

Oh well!

What harm can it do?

She already has the muchies!!

*update*

My grandmom brought to my attention that I may offend families who do sibling gifts on birthdays. If you do sibling gifts, don't be offended. Be proud of your family tradition and think I'm lame :)

Birthday Cupcake Dessert

2010-02-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

(Tutu made by Cheri. Check her out here.)

A few cupcakes + sprinkles + awesome cake plate + whimsy candles =

Kick a&$ Birthday Dinner Dessert!

Cora made this funny face the whole time we sang to her...

She got used to the whole thing as soon as she had a cupcake in her hand...

It's so easy to make birthday's special for you little ones! She'll have a party on another day but on her actual brithday we always do something!
(Since Cora's bday is on Valentines, we have another tradition I'll share tomorrow... and I'm going to want your opinion if you have a holiday birthday in your family!!)
Do you do a birthday dessert or something else special on your kiddo's actual Birthday?
(If you have a post about it leave the link in the comments! I would love to get ideas!)

Blogs I love button!

2010-02-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

Instead of having the blogs I read in my sidebar I'm giving them a button.

"Why?" (you ask)

Easier to keep updated!!

So from now on just click on this little beauty to see the blogs I frequent!

I promise you adore them!!

I tried to categorize them but it's tough... many are so great they are hard to put in a box... the best thing for you do do would be to visit each of them and add them to your reader :)

My all time favorite blog...

For laughs:

Bloggers I've had lunch with:

Frugalissa Finds
Fun Orange County Parks

Karen Eileen Designs

Reluctant Stay At Home Dad
Thoughts of a Mommy

My Friend's Family Blogs:

Hanging with my Pumpkin

Living on Silver and Dreams

Kara-Kae James

Mia and Jacob

Mom Mode

Rogers Family Life

Stabile Family in Illinois

Creative Blogs:

The Blah Blah Blahger
Brassy Apple

Bugaboo's Creations

Heathen Family Revival

Joy's Hope

Made

No Time For Flashcards

Photo blogs:

Jen Johnson Photography

Marisela Photography

Monkey Moon

Tammy Mitchell Photography

Invisible friends:
9 More Months
A Love Story - Mommy Daddy and a Bean

Life Unscripted

Linny's Vault

Musings of a Housewife

Our Daily Big Top

Our Journey into Parenthood

Suburban Mama
Teaching Jenny

The Domestic Fringe

The Jungle Wife

Businesses you should love:

Karen Eileen Designs

Businesses who have shown Eli's Lids love:

Happy Cora Jane Day!

2010-02-14T23:07:00.000-08:00

Two years ago today Hot Hubby and I received the

best Valentines Day gift ever.

Cora Jane

8 pounds 6 ounces of pure snuggle.

She still totally rules!

In case you celebrate whatever (lame) holiday it is today...

here is a simple garland you can make this afternoon!

Cut felt hearts and sew right down the center. I ran them through once with red and again with pink. Love it!

Hand into Heart - Valentine's Day Craft

2010-02-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

I love this sweet Valentine's Day craft!

So simple.

And it doubles as a V-Day decoration and childhood keepsake.

Kinda like the Hand print Turkeys!

~Paint one sweet little hand like this:

~Stamp. (I did Cora in pink and Eli in red)
~Repeat on the other side, making a heart shape on the paper.
Do a few practice runs, especially if you are doing it on a canvas and only get one shot.
(I had to press their pinkys down on the paper because it didn't get enough paint on the paper without an extra push.)
~Frame (couple of bucks at IKEA)
~DONE!

Need something Valentine's Day-ish to decorate your pad.

Check out these votives.

Donut Shister

2010-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

We like donuts.

The white cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.

We have come to the realization that the donut place by our house is a bit chincy with the chocolate frosting.

What do you think?

How much do you love the doilies!?!

They are on one of my maternity skirts (thanks Rachael).

I'm going to modify it to regular after baby because I love it so much!

Side Note:
We only eat the tops of our donuts around here.
When will a donut place smarten up and cover the whole thing with that thick sugary goodness!?!

Bosh Images

2010-02-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I met Noel from Bosh Images through the wonders of the internet!
Of course I had to comment on her awesome name (the second part of my name!) and I quickly discovered that she is an amazing local photographer!
And she offers some pretty awesome classes for those of us who aren't as amazing with the camera.

See the Bosh Images portfolio on their website here.

Check out their blog here.

A bit about the classes here.

(P.S. Their next class is sold out BUT a little birdie told me

Eli's Lids will get to giveaway

a seat for one of the

upcoming classes.

Check out their sites and keep posted for the giveaway.)

I got to do a little interview with Noel. She's great see...

Tell us a bit about your family...

I have one adventurous five year old, and one active thirty-five kid that i take care of daily. I was a teacher for 10 years when my son was born, and I knew I needed to find something to do that would allow for a much more flexible schedule so that I could play a more active roll in my sons life.

When did you start Bosh Images...

Growing up with two parents that were photographers, I have been taking pictures with a SLR camera since I was 11. It was only until just recently that I began to charge people so that I could afford to quit my teaching gig. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. Following your heart can have huge rewards that cannot be measured monetarily.

I love the concept of “anytime-art!” How did that idea develop?

Anytime-art stems from two concepts that I dealt with daily. After I quit teaching, I missed the opportunity to help others learn. I longed to be back in the classroom for that reason. Secondly, I had moms asking me daily how I was able to take the pictures I took. Realizing that many of them had as good a camera as I did, I began to realize the need for the class. Meeting Mali just sealed the deal!

What inspires you?

Inspiration? Inspiration comes from everywhere. The first time I saw a Gauguin painting in real life, it took my breath away. I am always inspired by the art around me. Watching the sun in the early morning, snow falling, wildflowers growing, kids playing all inspire me to create. Most of all, when you are a creative person, you have a need/desire to create, and that is why this class has been so successful. Creative parents are inspired to create a memory of their child how they see them everyday. That is the power of being able to create art using your children as the subjects.

Thanks for the chat Noel! Can't wait for the giveaway!

Valentine Candy Necklace Craft

2010-02-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is a craft your kiddos will beg to do with you.

Make these as Valentines for the whole class!

You'll need:

Cut the plastic wrap to about a yard long then lengthwise. So you'll have 2 long skinny strips.

Be sure to leave 1-2" in between each candy. You can do more than one candy in each section. I did 9 sections total.

I thought we were going to lose fingers with this next step...

Tie a 3-5" ribbon inbetween each of the candies or candy clusters.

Curl the ribbon (or not) and wear!

I'm going to go pass out now... I mean, I ate like 40ish pieces of chocolate.

I think baby #3 is going to be born addicted to sugar!

Potty Break

2010-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

What's going on back there?!?

More Wordless Wednesday fun go here.

Perspective...

2010-02-01T17:46:00.000-08:00

Hi Ultimate Blog Party goes,

This is a post from 2 months ago but I just found the party and I didn't want to miss out on the action!

I can't wait to meet you!!

For more UBP posts head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom!

###

It seems that every year or so a buzz word finds it’s way into my brain and shapes my views of life and parenting.

I’m not talking slang buzz words like radical, bitchin’ or whatever.

Last year it was intentional.

As in…

Be intentional about date nights with Hot Hubby.

Intentionally be silly with the kiddos everyday.

When we go places be intentional about teaching children about other cultures and helping the lost and needy.

Fold the laundry… God knows I gotta be intentional about that!

Get the idea?

This year my word has been perspective.

It came to me when…

(photo by Suzane Broughton over at Alive in Wonderland)

While Eli was in preschool Cora Jane and I would get to go on Mommy Date Days.

Library, park, lake… sometimes laundry.

This day our date was at the Irvine Spectrum.

I let her loose, and basically just followed her around anywhere she wanted to go.

Around the planter 14 times. Sure!

Splash a bit in the fountain… maybe even dangle our toes. No problem!

It’s her time.

Cora quickly discovered the giant Ferris wheel.

She was in awe.

She plopped her dimpled diapered bottom in the middle of the walkway to watch the wheel’s slow turning.

I plopped with her.

She clapped.

She danced.

She was brimming with delight only a child has.

We watched that lovely lazy spin for half an hour.

How wonderful that I got to see those giant pieces of steel and mechanics through my daughter’s perspective.

We had just enough time left to go to golden spoon (Side note: I worked at golden spoon back in the day and it’s still my favorite of all the frozen yogurts).

We sat outside so I could people watch… I mean so Cora could still enjoy watching the Ferris wheel.

The Irvine Spectrum is an awesome place to people watch.

REALLY! Put on your best people watching sunglasses… the big dark ones and head on over.

Quite a few stereotypical Orange County women walked by.

Laden with shopping bags, fake hair, plump collagen lips, perky silicon boobs and of course, personally trained bodies.

Wow… wonder about her perspective!?!

Then a group of mentally challenged adults came by with their caregivers. They were in their late 20s and 30s. You could tell they were excited about their outing. Chatting about things they wanted to buy and restaurants they were going to try. Their caretakers were great and you could tell everyone was happy. The group sat near us for lunch.

Then one of the men noticed the Ferris wheel.

He was in awe.

He clapped

He danced.

He was brimming with delight only a child has.

He watched that lovely lazy spin for almost half an hour.

How wonderful that I got to see those giant pieces of steel and mechanics through this man’s perspective.

Then for some reason I started to weep.

Not cry.

I mean full-on shallow breath flooding tears weep.

(Thank God I was wearing my people watching sunglasses!)

I’m not sure why I was so touched by the 3 perspectives.

Was it because plastic OC lady was sucked into a world of self?

Was it because the man I was watching, never experienced getting his license on his 16th birthday, or will probably never get married, have children or be completely independent?

Because he will forever be a child and stare in simple wonder at things like the Spectrum Ferris wheel?

Or because someday my daughter won’t?

Perspective.

And the Stringbean Company was born...

2010-01-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to enter to win the Rockets & Robots Apron Duo.

(In case you missed it go here!)

Don't forget you have until February 5th to get 20% off on everything in the Stringbean Company online store.

Enter the coupon code LIDS.

I will be getting the Baby Wrap Carrier.

REALLY!!

We've read a bit about the store here.

Now we get to learn a bit about Soni, the brains behind the operation...

How was the Stringbean Company born?
Like many momtrepreneurs before me I wanted something, couldn't find it, and so I made it myself. Other people asked about them, bought them, gifted them, and the rest is history! We started out with the Baby Wraps in 2006 (birth of daughter #1), added the Skidnees a few months later in early 2007, and the Apron Duo and Kids Love Capes! were born in 2008 (birth of daughter #2). In 2009 (birth of #3, a boy) we began plans to open and store and expand our sales to other people's American made wares. Having babies and kids at different stages prompted me to create different products for what they needed at the moment.

What makes the Baby Wrap Carrier and Skidnees stand out among all the other slings and leggings?

Aside from being made in the U.S.A, our products are produced in a thoughtful manner. We didn't want to just get a sewing contractor and be done with it, instead we're having our sewn products produced at a women's prison which helps inmates to pay child support and earn a fair wage while teaching them a valuable and very marketable skill for use upon their release. I'm so proud to be a part of that program. For the Skidnees, we shopped around for a family owned business in the heart of the former "Sock Capital of the World" that was struggling to stay afloat. The quality produced by both of our manufacturers is unsurpassed, and we wouldn't trade them for anything. Also, contrary to popular belief that goods made in the U.S.A are more expensive than their foreign counterparts, our products cost less. The Baby Wrap is unique because it is made of a cotton material with just a touch of spandex. This eliminates the sagging & bagging problem you find with most jersey material wraps. Our wraps are truly designed to be used for multiple children, they don't wear out after the first baby.
I love the fabric combos you choose for the Baby Wraps! What inspires you?
I'm such a color / fabric / prints junkie and always have been. I was an art student in college and that training has helped me channel my creativity into things like this business.

Top pick (1 for boys and 1 for girls) of the Skidnees?
Hmmm, this is tough! Top pick for girls would have to be Have a Heart and for boys it would have to be Polka Dot Black (my little guy is tiny, so I'm still getting used to dressing a boy!)

Thanks Soni!!
I have truly loved getting to know you though our businesses!

Pacific Waters Spa at the Hyatt Huntington

2010-01-27T23:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the folks over at OC Family I got to go to the Pacific Waters Spa at the Hyatt Huntington Beach for a girls spa night with my blogging buddies.

It was amazing!

Side note about the Hyatt Huntington: Hot Hubby and I had the first few nights of our honeymoon there and almost burned the hotel down because my romantic groom had his best man light 180 (yes one hundred and eighty) candles in the room an hour before we got there. The room was about 200 degrees when we walked in and there was candle wax dripping everywhere.

See...

Dear Hyatt,

Thank you for not charging us for the red candle wax all over the ledge and carpet.

Kisses, KN

I got to spend the evening with Aracely (Daytripping Mom), Liz (Thoughts of a Mommy) & Lydia (Vintage Beauty Blog).

I can't believe we didn't take pix together!!

We learned about loads of home spa treatments. (Recipes below!)

My favorite?

The strawberry toner spray.

My skin felt silky, soft and tight after I sprayed myself.

Wait there's more...

We got a massage.

A real one.

My masseuse was Allie. She has been at the spa since it opened.

She was good!

There's more!!

We got a facial and hand treatment too!

Wish I would have gotten more pictures of their place. There is only 7 on the site and it doesn't do it justice!

Dear Pacific Waters Spa,

You should totally get more pix on your site. Try some of my favs Sipper Photography, Jen Johnson Photography, Tammy Mitchell Photography, or Brave Little Duck

Love, KN

The Pacific Waters Spa is just beautiful!

REALLY!

Hot Hubby and I will be going again soon... sans candles... OK... maybe one or two (wink)!

Berry Pretty Toner

~1/2 medium strawberry

~1/2 tsp fresh rosemary

~distilled water

~small spray bottle

On a cutting board, dice strawberry. Cut rosemary leaves and place strawberry and rosemary into a small spray mister. Fill with distilled water. Shake mixture to blend ingredients. Spray on face for energizing toner.

Mocha Latte Wrap

~2 Tbsp ground coffee

~1 Tbsp cocoa powder

~3 Tbsp coconut butter

~Plastic wrap

Mix food ingredients in a small bowl. Apply in light circular motion on desired area. Wrap area lightly in plastic wrap for approximately 10 minutes. Remove plastic wrap and rinse treated area thoroughly in warm shower.

Peppy Feet Foot Treatment

~3/4 cup Aloe gel

~1 cup organic sugar crystals

~1/2 tsp crushed fresh mint leaves

~(optional 4 drops peppermint oil)

Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl. Apply to feet in light circular motion to exfoliate and soften calloused areas. You may wrap feet lightly in plastic wrap and warm towels for 3-4 minutes. Unwrap feet and rinse feet with cool or warm water.

Don't forget to enter to win 2 aprons from the Stringbean Company here! (ends tomorrow night)

Apron Duo from Stringbean Company

2010-01-22T10:58:00.000-08:00

Remember the amazing Stringbean Company?

Just to secure their awesomeness they are giving away a Rockets & Robots Apron Duo!

That's right folks... an apron for you AND your little one.

Rockets on one side and robots on the other in delicious fabric...

Perfect for boys or girls.

For baking or crafting.

For real or pretend.

For you!

How to win...

Main entry (mandatory): Click on over to Stringbean Company and let me know 2 things you like from their online shop.

In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...

~Become a fan of Stringbean Company on Facebook here. (2 entries)

~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "Enter to win a Rockets & Robots apron set for you AND your little one from Stringbean Co here: http://bit.ly/7PNJzt Pls RT!" If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (2 entries per day)

~Follow Stringbean Company on twitter here. (2 entries)

~Follow Eli's Lids on twitter here. (1 entry)

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you tweet about the giveaway leave 2 separate comments.

***Giveaway open one week! Ends Friday January 29th 9:00pm PST***

Rockets not your cup of tea?
Buy one of the other styles (or anything else at Stringbean) for 20% off using the coupon code LIDS.

Good luck!

Stringbean Company

2010-01-21T14:21:00.000-08:00

I met Soni from the Stringbean Company via the wonders of the good ole’ Internet and she is awesome.

REALLY!

She is the creator of the Baby Wrap, Skidnees, Apron Duos & Kids Love Capes.

(more on that later this week)

She owns a Mom & Tot store in North Dakota (and online) where everything

(yes, EVERYTHING!) is made in the USA.

She’ll be sponsoring a giveaway here tomorrow.

(sneak peek here)

She is the mom of a 3 ½ year old, a 2 year old & 3 month old.

(and you thought you were busy!)

AND she is adorable to boot...

Of course she sells Eli’s Lids.

(completely made in the USA!)

After you read all about Stringbean head on over to their site and get 20% off using the coupon code LIDS. (valid till 2/5)

I’m so impressed with her passion for products made here in The States that I’m going to share her awesomeness with you...

What prompted the idea of a store that only carries products made in the USA?

When we started manufacturing our own products, we really wanted to keep everything in the USA. From the tags to the packaging to the fabric and trims...it was sometimes difficult or impossible to find what we were looking for. I did so much research about where things were made and why and started to see some major trends. I was a history teacher (in a former lifetime it seems!) previously, and I used to teach my kids about different periods in history where the US was in control of X market or dominated X manufacturing, etc...Many of those markets are now close to if not entirely dead in the US (textiles, plastics, steel, socks/hosiery, computers - just to name a small few) I became so passionate about supporting American companies and, more importantly, American companies who produced their goods in the USA. When I decided to open a store, I knew I wanted the challenge of providing only American made products at Stringbean. With the American economy the way it is, I feel that it's more important than ever before to support our home-grown products. Those companies pay taxes, hire American employees and support our communities and charities - we need them.

Is everything really made in the USA?

Yes! And we are so proud of it!
You have SO MANY amazing products for moms and kiddos. Has it been difficult to find products made in the USA?
It isn't hard to find products made in the USA, per say, but it is hard to find American made products that also meet the Stringbean standards of design, purpose and price. Occasionally, it becomes really difficult to find a certain product that is made in the USA. For example, I am currently on the hunt for a domestically produced (and healthy) pacifier- there are none! I'd also like to find a stroller and a modern high chair. I am also surprised how some companies don't advertise their "Made in the U.S.A" qualities, which makes it harder for me to find them.

What are the top 4 sellers at the Stringbean Company stores?

I'm pleased and pleasantly surprised that our top 2 sellers are non other than Stringbean's very own products:
#1 The Kids Love Capes! Superhero capes are by far #1. I mean, Kids LOVE capes, right?
#2 Skidnees arm and leg huggers, also a Stringbean product.
#3 is the Melinda G T-Shirt Soft Cup Nursing Bra.We can hardly keep these bad boys in stock! For good reason, too, they've got to be the most comfortable nursing bra out there.
#4 is the Dano2 Bath Ducki It's really hard to find USA made bath toys and anything by Dano2 is so modern and fun. Plus, the phthalates/lead/toxin-free duck opens on the bottom so you can clean out the mold (it's even dishwasher safe!). What's in your rubber duck?

Any advice for folks who want to start buying things exclusively made in the USA?
First, I'd say start reading labels! That alone should get anybody thinking about how much *stuff* out there is not American made. If it doesn't say "Made in the U.S.A." ask yourself how much you really need it. I've found that this mindset also helps me curb a lot of frivolous spending. I'm also a big fan of buying second-hand, especially when I can't find what I want in an American-made version. For those individuals who don't live near a craigslist city, ebay is only a click away.

Don't you just love her?

I knew you would!!
Check back tomorrow for a giveaway hosted by Stringbean Company!

Mini Cookies

2010-01-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

In the midst of rain and tornados (in the OC!) a mom needs to think of something fun to do.

(There is only so much Hi Ho Cherry-O a person can play in one day.)

Make cookies!

With a "little" twist.

Miniaturize them!

They are tasty.
And your kiddos will get a kick out of it.
See...

Plus you can eat like 10 and it doesn't feel so bad because they are so teeny tiny!

Lids on a Puddle Hunt

2010-01-14T15:26:00.000-08:00

When it rains out here we like to bundle up and go on a...

You'll need...

...and of course you have to take a...

We didn't find many puddles.

But we looked great!

(I'm adding this to a great Carnival I found over at Good, True Beautiful about our JOY. Add yours here.)

Pirate Eli

2010-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Fierce pirate.

Always stand ready with sword in hand.

Steal scrap fabric for hat.

Proudly display Lightning McQueen underwear.

In the kitchen.

Should this be the next LID style???

More Wordless Wednesday folks go here.

For a new fun (and super easy) Carnival starting this Saturday (1/16).

Post your "Best Tweet of the Week" over at The Glamorous Life Association.

Can't wait to see how funny you are in 140 characters or less!

Why do I live in Southern California?

2010-01-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

Because of this...

Just another January dusk in Orange County.

Sweet dreams.

(NONE of these pictures are photoshoped or altered in ANY way. All taked with the natural CA early evening light!)

Eli's Lids in the New Year...

2010-01-11T18:12:00.000-08:00

We rung in the new year with our annual New York New Years Eve Party.

Of course we lined up the children against their will to take a picture.

I forgot my Happy New Year sign.
I also forgot to make everyone wear their Eli's Lids like I did last year...

The picture still turned out absolutely priceless.

See...

What's in store for Eli's Lids this year?
(you ask)
Lots!
~New Lid Styles (baseball, trucker, and of course more beanies!)
~A fun Carnival! (details later) As much as I loved the Remember When Carnival... it sure was hard to scan in all those pix!
~The same ole' silly style of blogging.
~More fun crafts! (Of course you should be checking in with my alter ego, She's Crafty, often for constant crafts!)
~A new awesome charity Eli's Lids will be donating to... Surfers Healing!!
~Oh and have you heard we are having baby #3?!? The gender and name are a big secret. I'm thinking I'll tweet during labor...

I'm sure you're wondering what my New Year's Resolution is...

You're not?

We'll I'll tell you anyway.

My New Years Resolution is to gain 25-35 pounds!

I am With Child... how often will I get to make that one!!?!!

Preggo cravings...

2010-01-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

This is what I had for lunch...

It was one of those 'If You Give A Mouse a Cookie' moments... but with a pregnant craving twist.
See...
After you make scrambled eggs (you can barely see them under the apples) you'll put away the eggs in the fridge and notice the mild cheddar cheese.
Yum.
You'll cut a few cheese slices.
Then you'll think, "Gee, apples sure go well with cheese!"
You'll slice up an apple.
Yum.
Just before you sit down, you'll rememeber the red grapes you just bought at the store.
Yum.
After you rinse the grapes you'll feel like you need a bit of an energy boost.
You'll remember the Large Regular Iced Coffee you got at McDonalds yesterday but didn't finish.
You'll pull the 32 ouncer out of the fridge and notice the cookie dough.
Gotta finish lunch with something sweet.
Cookie dough.
Yum.
The perfect preggo lunch.

You may be wondering what the perfect preggo dinner is.
I'll tell you...

(got these from my parents at Christmas. Been craving Corn Chex for dinner.)

What did you crave when you were preggers?

Christmas Eve

2010-01-01T21:52:00.001-08:00

Eli picked out this giftie for Daddy. He wrote "FOR, DADDY" Love, "ELI" all by himself.

Hot Hubby got off work at noon and we headed to Arby's for lunch.

Because Baby #3 loves Arby's!!

After naps we baked...

Get the cookies out already...

Eli was beyond stoked that Santa was going to eat what HE made!

Reading from Luke 2...

Cora was a bit clueless but went with it...

The kiddos picked dinner.

Eggs.

Toast.

Grapes.

Mommy didn't want to do dishes so we used paper plates...

I bundled up all the yogurt lids we had been saving for breast cancer...

We read from the best pop up Christmas book ever...

Oh... and someone showed up before we went to bed...