All You Need To Build A Book Club

What would you do if you woke up in the hospital and 10 years of your life was gone, forgotten? You are living ten years ago. The rest of your world is living 10 years into a future you know nothing about.

Have you ever wondered what living with you was like from your dog's perspective? Have you ever wondered what their dreams, goals and passions are?

These are the last two stories we've read in my book club. Respectively, What Alice Forgot and The Art of Racing in the Rain.

I am lucky to count myself a member of a group of ladies who are intelligent, beautiful, fun, strong, interesting, different, and who happen to just all love books. We call ourselves Reading Between the Wines. We meet once a month, rotating hostess duties at our homes. The hostess is in charge of choosing the book to be discussed on her month, providing the food and everybody brings a bottle of wine. Mostly, we have a blast and get to be together once a month for an afternoon. I've had several people ask me how I found the book club. I didn't, we made it together in March of 2013.

 

The original members got together and made a list of all of the books that all of us had on our wish lists, a basic structure of how we'd like to spend our time together, and a calendar of the first couple months of hostesses.

 

We've lost and gained members in that time and currently have nine members. I'll tell you, this is really a perfect number to shoot for for a couple reasons. First, not everyone can make it every month but nine ensures that there are still several of us together. There aren't so many ladies that people feel like they didn't get to share their thoughts. No one gets overly tired of being the hostess. And finally, it's such a fabulous mix of ladies. Our members include, 2 friends that I graduated high school with, 1 friend I have known since the first grade, 1 friend I met in college through really odd circumstances, 1 friend I met through an ex-boyfriend, a co-worker of one of the high school friends, a woman I've always known of through mutual friends but just got to know well in the last year, and a woman who married an old high school acquaintance.

 

Here are several of us last fall on a beautiful post discussion walk.

 

 

We are a wonderful mix of working moms and stay-at-home moms, moms to human kiddos and moms to fur babies, professions within those of us who work outside the home, ages (26-48), family types, ideas, opinions, and passions. That's what I love most. Nine different women's lives all come together once a month to discuss ideas, literature from the great to the trashy, and often just drink, laugh, and share. I've gotten to read some fantastic book I may not otherwise have discovered. We even have a Facebook page where we can share great articles, book lists, funny memes, and pictures of our time together.

 

 

My advice is to not look too hard for a group to join. You have great friends already. Many of them like to read. Get together and get started! Even if it's just an excuse for some child-free, girlfriend drinking time. And if you're looking for book suggestions, man do we have them!

 

Here's all you need to get started:

1) Friends who like to read.

2) Books

3) Wine

4) Once a month childcare arrangements.

Cheap Exfoliator Straight From Your Kitchen

I am not a fan of spending tons of money of facial scrubs. I also recently began seeing stories that the plastic beads used in many commercial scrubs are potentially dangerous to aquatic animal life and thus anything that eats the affected aquatic animal life. I'm not an expert but it just doesn't trip my trigger to pay that much money no matter the level of potential contamination or pollution. There are LOTS of articles out there if you'd like to learn more about the fight to ban these plastic beads. The scrubs that use crushed shells, nuts, and nut shells always leave my face feeling a little stingy. Again, I'm no expert but if it feels stingy, I don't think it's good for me. At the very least, I don't want to subject myself to a sore face on purpose!

 

About 4 months ago, I read an article that I thought might offer me a solution.

 

 

 The article, from a natural living blog referenced baking soda as an exfoliator. I decided to give it a try. It made my face feel fantastic! I mix about a Tablespoon in my hand with just enough water to form a paste then GENTLY rub it on my face in an upward circular motion. I let it sit for about 2 minutes. Longer than that and it starts to dry which just plain feels weird to me. I wash clean and my face feels amazing. You can also mix it with a little of your regular cleanser and use it that way.

 

The best part?!? The boxes are less than $1 at my local Aldi store and last for a couple months.

 

I keep mine in a glass jar next to the tub because if I leave it in the paper box, it gets soaked and mangled by a very active, splashy 2 1/2 year old with whom I share the tub. I only use it once a week otherwise, it just feels like it dries me out. I'm curious to see if I'll still like it in the winter when my skin is so much more likely to be dry. I did make sure to read several articles about using baking soda if you have rosacea (since I do, dammit!). Most of what I read said it may actually help as a highly alkaline diet has been suggested as a treatment for rosacea and baking soda is an alkaline compound.

 

I've been super happy with my results but I do want to note that there are a couple of websites that discourage using baking soda as a facial exfoliator. You know your skin. Do your research. Give it a try. If it doesn't work, or you don't like your results, you've got a box of baking soda to use in the kitchen and you're out 0 dollars!

 

 

Microwave Popcorn That Isn't Gross!!!!

I LOVE popcorn. LOVE it! I don't have enough counter space for an air popper and I don't have the skills to make it happen in an electric skillet like my mom did. We used to eat microwave popcorn but lawsuits that began appearing from ill people who worked at a popcorn plant in my region started me down the research road in the early 2000s. Holy Moly, we will never eat that again.

 

On Pinterest and recipe websites, there are umpteen ways of making your own but most of them call for oil. I just want good old, 30ish calories per cup, air popped popcorn. There is a way, and it's so easy and so much cheaper than microwave popcorn anyway.

 

 

Purchase a package of brown paper lunch sacks at Dollar Tree. Pour about 1/2-3/4 Cup of the popcorn kernels of your choice into the bag.

 

Make sure to fold the bag over pretty tightly twice. Otherwise your microwave will be full of kernels flying around out of the bag. The popcorn setting on my microwave is the perfect amount of time but you may have to play with yours to find the perfect setting. When you started to hear about 2-3 seconds between pops, it's done.

 

Viola, air popped popcorn in less than three minutes. About 1/2 Cup kernel netted about 2 1/2 Cups popcorn. They are naturally multi-colored as a result of our favorite mixed kernels I purchase at a local Amish grocery store. And yes, those are scorch marks to the right of the bowl. I put a WAY too hot cast iron skillet down for just a second last winter. Oops, guess I'll need new counter tops soon.

 

There are lots of ways you can season the popcorn. If you like real butter go for it. With the diet choices I make due to health (for more information, you can subscribe to my Eat To Live blog), I go for less naughty choices. Some of our favorites are nutritional yeast, Dr. Braggs Sea Kelp Delight Seasoning, a mix of chili seasoning, cumin, cayenne pepper, and paprika, and a mix of dill and salt/sugar free lemon pepper seasoning. I have also discovered some tricks for helping the spices adhere to the popcorn and not just lay at the bottom of the bowl. A light spritz of olive oil cooking spray, pickle juice, Dr. Bragg's liquid aminos, lemon juice, or flavored vinegar all work. Be sure to use a spritzer with a fine spray or just barely dip your fingers to flick the liquid onto the popcorn, otherwise it'll be a soggy, gross mess. Play with flavors and tailor it to the tastes that are best loved in your house.

 

Enjoy!

 

P.S. There is one exception to my never again rule with regard to commercial popcorn. The movies!! I will totally eat movie theater popcorn AT the movies and guiltlessly realize that although it's terrible for me, it's delicious and I only get to go to the theater once a year since I have a 2 1/2 year old.

 

Part Organizational Beast-Part Tree Hugger Semi-Pro

Late last year sometime, I just plain got sick of trying to keep my pretty kitchen towels stain free. I try to be environmentally responsible as much as I can. Not cloth diaper responsible, I just simply could NOT bring myself to that level, but composting, recycling paper and plastic, running appliances outside of peak hours, and trying really hard not to use paper towels for much of anything responsible. I thought that maybe if I had an affordable, easily accessible, pretty (this is very important) alternative I could save my towels and the Earth at the same time.

Enter Dollar Tree.
 

 

$6 plus tax later, I had my solution. A pretty red basket that can live next to the sink all of the time and five 3-count packages (mostly so there's never an excuse that there were no clean towels available) of micro fiber towels means my pretty towels stay pretty, my kitchen stays clean, and it takes us a couple months to get through a role of paper towels.

 

I do sort of wish I'd gotten all white because it's nice to be able to bleach the white ones clean but even the green ones launder really well. We also use cloth napkins at our dinner table almost exclusively, much to the chagrin of a few family members who for whatever reason really want paper (WHY?!?!).

 

I have learned one very valuable lesson with our cloth napkins and micro fiber kitchen mess towels. Wash them separately if you have animals in your home. The micro fiber LOVES to hang on to dog hair and no one, including animal lover me, wants to open up their napkin and see a dog hair during a meal.

 

Remember, small changes can make BIG differences!

No Time For Projects For All The Fun!

I just love bowling alleys that haven't been upgraded much. Our local bowling alley was host to my work's annual bowling tournament on Friday night and walking in feels like the 70s to me. I think the bowling balls and shoes (check them out!) might be about my age which is cool, but so is the air conditioning unit, which is not cool. Hella hot! We had so much fun though. AND I came in second of five in game two. That's never happened before unless I was only bowling with one other person.

 

 

Saturday, we got up early and headed to the zoo that's about an hour East of us. We only told Sam that we were headed to an adventure. He loves "ventures". We made fun animal friends, got some good outdoors exercise, and the flowers in the zoo were just beautiful. We hadn't been to this particular zoo since Sam was about 5 months old and he had a ball. Feeding the animals and hiding in the bamboo were his favorite parts!

 

Feed Me!

Me Too!

 

Watching Sam thrill at his "ventures" and the flowers were my favorite part.

 



Being there made me want to join the zoo club. If you love the zoo and the animals within, I think it's a great idea to help them in whatever way you can! I'm torn between joining the club right now or saving up a little to purchase a painting by one of the zoo residents. Here's the one that one of their chimpanzees did. I mean, how cool is this?

 

Dickerson Park Zoo "Wild And Fresh" Project

 

Saturday evening, we got Jeff's Fathers Day grill gazebo put up on the patio. Thank goodness because it poured on him Sunday after he got all of the food on the grill!

 

Sam's Club Sheridan Grill Gazebo

 

This butterfly was just hanging out on the patio while the boys were working. I felt like it followed us home from the zoo it was so beautiful and unexpected.

 

 

Sam got some new boots from a friend and I can not get them off of him but check how cute he is clomping around our kitchen.

 

I LOVE My New Boots!

 We finished off the weekend with our friend Ava from next door and made our way through about 8 cans of silly string. That's the silly string leftovers all over the patio. I LOVE that they've changed the recipe of silly string and it doesn't stain anymore because I can let the kids go nutso and just wash it off with the hose! They had silly string out the wazoo at Dollar Tree for Easter baskets and I stocked WAY up back then. It's not technically a project but your kiddos will have so much fun, it might as well be.

Friends Are Fun

 

Yea, that's it.....I'm calling this our project for the weekend. We used the last 8 of $30 well spent on silly string! "Ventures" come in all forms! Embrace them all.

Finding Peace With Your Kiddos In A Hectic, Noisy World

The world can be a really hectic place for kiddos. I listen to friends and family list their children's activities and it exhausts ME! That's not to say I don't plan activities and learning opportunities for Sam. I absolutely do, and will continue to do so. However, we do something in our house that might be a little different. I plan downtime. I plan centering, peaceful, mindful moments for Sam, and for me so that we can have happier hearts and minds. There are a couple of fantastic books, and visuals that I use to help us wind down into the peaceful times that I would love to share with you.

 

Peaceful Piggy Meditation

 

Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee MacLean is a fantastic book about how young piggies find peace in a frustrating world through meditation. It's a really good message told by animals which Sam loves! Full of straight forward, easy-for-kids-to-understand language and blissful, vibrant, childlike images, it's one of our favorites. Purchase it HERE.

 

I found the yoga poster above at www.yogamatters.com. Karin Eklund's sweet, simple images of very basic poses are easy to understand and fun for kiddos to practice. I laminated copies of this poster for both our house, and for my classroom of 2-5 year olds at church. Sam has even made up some of his own poses and likes for us to do those together. I say, go for it!. If he's focused, having fun, and finding his own ways to have peaceful moments, I'm not going to stop him.

Peaceful Piggy Yoga

 

We liked Peaceful Piggy Meditation so much, we bought Kerry Lee MacLean's Peaceful Piggy Yoga too. More of MacLean's beautiful illustrations show simple poses to help you and your little find peace in a noisy world. Purchase your copy HERE.

Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda

 

Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer is a new favorite that I just found last week. This wonderful picture book introduces the powerful practice of mindfulness in a fun and exciting way. Monkey is not so mindful, always jumping from one task to the next and never living in, or enjoying, the moment. Panda helps Monkey recognize the simple joy of doing what you're doing while you're doing it. Purchase it HERE.

 

Whatever your books, tools, quiet time rituals, or routine, I believe all of us benefit when we teach our kids to relax, focus, be calm and peaceful, and enjoy the moment. I love it even more because when I'm helping him find these moments, I get to have the moments too.

 

Namaste

 

Keeping The Monsters Away

It hasn't happened a lot, but a couple times recently, Sam has mentioned monsters so I decided to arm our house to fight them if it should come up again! I had a spray bottle that had been washed out and was waiting for a new project already on hand. I also already had black duct tape on my tape organizer (see awesome tape organizer on previous blog post HERE) and if your house is anything like mine, TONS of stickers including the letter stickers to spell out "Monster Spray". Check out the final product.

 

 

We haven't had to use it, and mostly I hope we don't, but I do think it turned out really cute and once wouldn't break my heart. In the meantime, I'm ready to fight anything that might be in Sam's closet or under his bed!

 

Side note: I swear I'm not a terrible mommy :). I don't actually want Sam to feel fear. I  just want us to get to use a cute, free-to-make-because-I-already-had-the-supplies, item.

I DO Deserve To Take Me Time, I DO Deserve To Feel Pretty, I DO Deserve To Be Pampered, I DO, I DO

I deserve to take me time. I deserve to feel pretty. I deserve to be pampered.

I didn't always believe this. Because I didn't always believe it but wanted to, it became my mantra. I needed it to become my mantra for a few reasons.

 

1) Somewhere along my life, possibly during my poor grad student days, possibly as a result of crappy boyfriends who I let F up my feelings about myself, possibly as a result of some weird, I have no idea where it came from, deep seated belief that money will just stop coming somehow, I stopped treating myself.

 

2) I like my face, and my husband thinks I'm gorgeous, but I don't think I fit into a category of a "face that launched a thousand ships" by any stretch of the imagination. So maybe it was about not working on something that was not already above average. I'm over this. The ladies who get paid to be beautiful GET PAID TO BE BEAUTIFUL. I enjoy being cute, enhancing it in every way I can (hellllllooooooo Sephora and Redkin hair dye), and not being under a constant critical microscope like those ladies. No wonder Gwenyth Paltrow is so judgy and awful. She's probably starving, both literally and metaphorically.

 

3) I work my ass off to create a wonderful life for my family, full of love, fun, hugs, kisses, adventure, delicious home-cooked meals, and a (fairly) clean and (mostly) organized home, all while working a full time job outside of the home, being the best daughter I can be, and spending time with friends when I can.

 

4) I just get busy.

 

If you see elements of yourself in any of the above list, I think it's likely that you too need to get an appointment somewhere, with some beauty professional, and GET PRETTY. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be for you. I got my toes done, for $25 on my lunch hour last week, and it was sweet. Trashy TV was on in the salon, and I didn't have to make conversation, no one needed me to answer a call, help with a project, change their diaper, or "watch dis mooooooooom". Plus, to answer the "but what if we run out of money and lose our house", crazy person who pokes my brain sometimes, I seriously doubt a $25 pedicure will result in house foreclosure or vehicle repossession, sheesh!

 

I got me time. I got to do something that made me feel pretty. I got to be pampered. AND, I only took 45 minutes out of the go-go-go rest of my day!

 

P.S. If you're a stay at home mom and don't get a lunch hour, I hope you have a mom, a sister, a friend, someone, who will gladly hold, or take, your kiddo(s) for 1 hour while you find a little Zen. If it were me, I'd totally take them. We love playdates!

Keep It Simple Stupid!

This post is so simple, it's kind of silly BUT it might just need the little spur you need to help you put your "crazy mommy mind" to rest. Like most mothers who are juggling, children, a home, a job, a husband, friends, aging parents, a budget, and everything else that gets thrown at us day-to-day, I didn't used to sleep well. There are tons of stories and anecdotes out there about how our minds go cuckoo at night with all of the things we have going on, (seriously, google it if you want to see how much!) while our husbands crash straight out when we click the light off.

 

I used to use my phone to either create a note or send a list, note, or reminder to my work e-mail but the more I read about how artificial light is wrecking our sleep, the more I thought I shouldn't even have the phone in the room, much less shining in my face in a dark bedroom! PUT THE PHONE DOWN!!!! Every day I read Facebook posts along the lines of "I can't sleep", "insomnia sucks", "sandman where are you", etc. Your phone isn't helping!! Stop posting!! Don't pick it up!! Don't turn it on!! It's like a double shot to your brain!! Just don't!!

 

So what are you going to do to get the info out of your head, in an immediate physical and timeline way, so you can shut the light AND your brain off? I put a cube of cute, local university (and my alma mater) themed sticky notes on my nightstand with a pencil that NEVER leaves its side. Do you hear me hubby and son, don't touch my paper and pencil!!!

 

 

This particular note was reminder for me to purchase some greeting cards. Shortly after I took this photo, I added Q-tips to it because I realized we were out. When I wake up, I can stick it to my phone, which then goes downstairs with me, and add it to the master shopping list if it's a to-get, or into my planner if it's a to-do.

 

Simple, efficient, and mind clearing for a good nights sleep. Three of my favorite things!

 

I Found It, After 25 Years, I Found The Perfect Planner!

I have maybe purchased 50-60 planners in my life. Of course, you need one at least every year, but me, me I usually become frustrated after a while OR better yet, just find the BBD (bigger, better deal) and get more than one per year. Those days are over. I found the perfect one! I've had it since December and I still adore it every day.

 

I know what you might be thinking..."Hey, you dinosaur, why do you need a planner? Don't you have a phone?". The truth is, even with my phone, tablet, laptop, and work computer, I still hold the paper planner sacred. To me there is no satisfaction in clicking a box in Outlook and adding a calendar item. I do it, but only to the things that affect my work time and that my co-workers need to know about as a result. My paper planner is really where it's at. It holds everything; my work appointments, personal appointments for me, Jeff, and Sam, a copy of our weekly menu, my to-do list, my blog post schedule, and tons more!

 

I'm so excited to share it with you TODAY because the new 18 month, July 2014-December 2015 calendar just went live on their website at midnight. A friend, the 10th or so that I've converted :), tried to log on to get hers first thing and evidently lots of other people are just as excited because the website was temporarily down. I was able to open the website, an promptly did so this morning because even though mine lasts through December, so I won't order my new one for a couple months yet, I wanted to see the new cover options and features. Yep, I'm that huge of a fan and a dork!

 

You can visit www.erincondren.com to see a full video of features called Life Planner 101 but here are some of my favorites:

 

Orange roses are my absolute favorite so this cover was perfect!

 

There is a 2 page lay-out for each week with three rows titled Morning, Day, and Night. I retitled mine Appointment, To-Do, and Blog to work best for my needs. I use little 1 1/2X2" Post-it notes for the blog posts in case I need to switch anything around. There is also a lined area at the bottom of each column so I can manage what we're having for lunch and dinner. If you haven't read my blog about planning meals a month at a time, find it HERE. Finally, if you have things that need to be done sometime in the week but not on a specific day, you can list it down the left column.

 

 

Each month also has a two page lay-out at the beginning of that month that is helpful to track major happenings and appointments so that you don't over-book or schedule conflicts. I also list community events that don't need to receive daily attention here in case I receive inquiry calls within the course of my job.

 

 

There is a notes area at the back that is great because I tend to be a list maker. Here, you can see the list of all of the Thirty -One bags on my wish-list so I don't forget what they're called or how much each is during my budgeting process.

 

 

The final two inserts are (1) a pocket for holding receipts, loose paper I pick up until I can get the events listed into the planner, coupons I find, etc. and (2) a clear zipper pocket that I use to hold Post-it notes of all sizes for my various needs. you could also place stamps, business cards, or other flat items here.

 

 

The back cover is a lovely two year ahead planning section in case, I don't know, you are curious what day your 42 birthday will be on, or when Thanksgiving 2016 will be. I am asked weekly to preplan events far in advance for my job for the first Friday of ______ or the third Saturday of_______, so I love this page!

 

 

It's important to note that these planners are not cheap, I paid $50 for mine, but if you love planners, organizing, being organized, and staying organized, this is the planner for you! Get yours HERE!

Worth The Risk Of Ruining The Surprise!

I'm too excited to not post this project even though it hasn't actually been given to the recipient yet.

 

Today is my friend Erica's birthday. Erica really appreciates the simple things in life. It's absolutely one of her best qualities, of which she has TONS. She is also a teacher. This makes her even more kick ass! She moved into a new house earlier this year and then last month, her boyfriend Lyn moved in with her. I figured they are still trying to combine, and find room for, two houses worth of stuff in their new combined home. As such, I didn't want to get her a tchotchke that would just take up more room so I decided to make her a bag that she could carry her teachery things in when school starts back in August. 

 

 

I chose green because it's her favorite color. I used three different colors of acrylic paint to add interest. I used an apple that was just south of still being good to make the apple shapes (how novel of me :), but I do like to save money where I can). The smaller pots of acrylic paints, the paint brush, and the sharpie were things that I already had.

 

Quick note: I learned from previous projects that you MUST place a trash bag or other plastic barrier between the layers so your acrylic paint doesn't bleed through.



Apple Stamped Bag

 

I literally cut the apple in half, poured the paint into a Chinese take-out container lid, dipped the apple in and stamped onto the bag. So easy, and so cute!

 

I didn't end up needing the Sharpie because I used the brown and black from the acrylic set to paint seeds on the apples. I painted leaves and stems on the apples with the tiny paintbrush to fancy up some of them up. 

 

I adore how it turned out! And look how cute it looks all wrapped up in a poster tube I had in my craft arsenal.

 

Project cost:

Bag  =  $3.37 at Wal-Mart

 8 oz paints = $2.95 each

Use of various other supplies including paint, trash bag, apple, tube, ribbon, and paint brush = ?

Total cost = under $15

 

Because Erica loves simple homemade things, I don't feel a bit bad about a great, low cost on something she'll love and use! PLUS, I get to treat her to a delicious lunch on Sunday to celebrate her birthday!

 

Friendship = Priceless

 

There Are Freakin Hair Ties EVERWHERE!!!!

Week 2 of my 52 weeks of organization is a simple one. Simple, but brilliant!

 

A Dollar Tree carabiner clip

+

Approximately 75 hours of collecting a thousand stray hair ties, pony tail holders, rubber bands, elastics....whatever you call them

+

Approximately 3 seconds of threading the ties onto the carabiner

=

I've got you now my pretties!

 

Organized Hair Ties

 

I realized AFTER I took the photo above that I missed 2. There they are, the sneaky jerks, right next to 3 (of 300) little clips. What to do with those, what to do?

 

I'd seen this on a number of boards and organizing sites and it just made good sense. There's even a hook on the bottom of the dish that currently holds 3 little clips, 2 hair ties, and 1 Command hook (I'm sure I meant to hang that somewhere but I honestly can't remember). Perfect to hang the carabiner from and not take up drawer space!

 

Rosacea Can Suck It!

Rosacea can be easily managed through diet, environmental factors...... I almost made it through that with a straight face. Not really, it's a raging pain in the ass (face really) and looks like crap. I finally found a cleanser/moisturizer line in Obagi that keeps it from it's worst but I still want to not have to look at it! Enter a fabulous little product from Sephora (where else), Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer. I use powder foundation over it and although I'm not exactly photo finish when I've got it on, I don't have great big, obvious red splotches on my face. I'll take it!

Smashbox Color Correcting Primer

 

They have a whole line to correct all kinds of issues. Check it out! I highly recommend both Obagi and Smashbox if you are plagued with Rosacea because Rosacea can suck it!

 

In other news, I had a fabulous weekend. Unfortunately Jeff had to leave for eight days in England but before he did, we got to take Sam fishing for the first time. He LOVED the worms.

 

Look at dis worm Mooooooom!

 

I know it doesn't look like it but I caught him mid "look at dis Mooooom". AND he caught a fish. Well sort of, daddy helped.......a lot. But he was really proud and said it made him a "big boy". Yes, my son, you are a big boy. Now stop growing so fast! My sis-in-law has a little gallery of the cousins and wanted one of each "kissing a fish". Sam wasn't so sure but he played along.

 

Kiss the Fish!

 

Afterwards my lunch fortune read:

 

Isn't that the truth!

 

Sam was feeling a little sad last night, missing Daddy. Mommy has just the thing, pillow forts!!

 

Seriously, how cute is he?!?

 

I got a big smile out of him and he slept well after all.

Mission accomplished!

 

A Few Of My Favorite Things Friday

Maybelline #645 Red Revival. This is the PERFECT old Hollywood red. You will not be sorry you added this to your make-up bag!

 

Maybelline #645 Red Revival

 

Pickles are my favorite. Whole, spears, gherkins, cornichons, chips, slices, dill, Kosher, Polish, hot, garlic, I love them all but I draw the line at sweet pickles. Blech! McClure's Pickles are hands down the best pickles I've EVER had. Do yourself a favor, and get some!

 

Rock cottages. I dream of a romantic little deep woods cottage. For a weekend trip try the Rock Cottage Gardens B&B in Eureka Springs. The Aspen Cottage is my favorite! I had my babymoon there. 

Rock Cottage Gardens B&B-Eureka Springs

 

Office supplies....all of them! It may be an actual obsession. I get a little manic at Office Depot and Office Max.

 

 

The Killer. Something about Jerry Lee I can't quite explain. I have seen him at Memphis in May 3 times and he's a mean old codger but when he puts his hands on the piano, I forgive him.

Jerry Lee Lewis

 

The Dark Crystal. Jim Henson created something really beautiful here. I even had a dog named Fizz-Gig in college.

 

The Dark Crystal

 

I'd love to hear about some of your favorite things!

No-Sew Quiet (ish) Book

Late last year, a very dear friend was getting married and asked Sam and I to be in the wedding. We were honored to say the least but the wedding was in Colorado the week before Sam's birthday. That meant that driving was out of the question. That left flying with a two year old as the only option in order to arrive in Colorado in time to enjoy the pre-wedding festivities AND make it home in plenty of time to finish my prep for Sam's party. I was nervous about how he would do on the plane so I'm not going to lie, I WAY over-prepared! I made a TON of little "keep us busy" games. As it turns out, I only needed two games; a lidded cup with a hole in the top and tiny sparkly pom poms to poke through the hole, and this quiet(ish) book. I only add the ish because since we were going to be on an airplane playing with laminated pages, I added Velcro so we didn't lose any pieces.

 

Front Cover

This was a pretty simple page to determine as the front cover. Sam will write him name more than any other word in the English language so no time like the present to begin learning how to spell it!

 

 

 

Page One

We have a Little People school bus that sings a stop and go song which is one of Sam's favorites so I made a stop and go page. He is learning color matching with this page.

 

Page Two

Sam LOVES frogs and was just beginning to show interest in counting to two at this time. I thought we'd practice all the way up to five. 

 

Page Three

Giving toys and treats to our real dogs is always a fun job for Sam so I thought he might like to choose either a soccer ball, Frisbee or bone for this cutie too. Sam named him Spotty.

 

Page Four

I'm not sure if it's in the DNA of little boys or what, but Sam has ALWAYS been interested in things with wheels. I added some special elements to the driving page too make it even more interesting. Column one is just the laminated road so I labeled it "smooth road". Column two has glue stick bumps and is labeled "bumpy road". Column three has strips of sandpaper glued to the road and is labeled "rough road".

 

Page Five

Color and shape matching are fun!

 

Page Six

Sam loves the Itsy Bitsy Spider. He even does a quite lovely heavy metal sounding version of it in the back seat of the car. The spider, sun, and raindrops are all removable and repositionable as with the other pages so we could act out the story.

Back Cover

Of course, I had to add a back cover with a lovey-dovey message. What can I say he's awesome and I dig him!

 

All of the pictures are clip art that I just printed out and laminated. Early last year, I found a great laminator at Aldi for $20. It came with enough laminating sheets that I haven't had to purchase more yet and I laminate A LOT. If you have an Aldi in your area, keep an eye out for their Wednesday circular. They have great, really different, stuff!

 

I'd say I put about 2 hours total into gathering the images, laying the project out, laminating the pages and pictures, and cutting the pieces out once they were laminated. I then hole punched the pages and used two loose ring binders to hold it all together. It's hard to estimate cost because I had all of the supplies but Sam's enjoyment of the finished book means cost wouldn't have mattered to me anyway.

 

Take what your kiddo likes and run with it. One of the best things about this style of entertainment? It's super light and fits right in the carry on without taking up any room at all.

 

A few final notes on traveling on an airplane for the first time with a toddler.

1) Take the car seat with you if you're driving on the other end of the trip. The daily charge from the car rentals is ridiculous. I realize it's kind of a pain but we found a light version that would fit in a big duffel bag if we wanted to check it instead of carrying it. It was only $35 and you can find it HERE.

2) Take a stuffed animal or toy they haven't seen before for the flight out and another for the flight home. Novelty staves off boredom. We chose a Mickey Mouse doll for the ride there and a little monster truck for the ride home.

3) Have snacks!!!!

4) Don't stress as much as I did, it's exhausting and in most cases, unnecessary. Most kids, mine included, mirror back your mood, manner, and disposition. He was calm and had fun when I was calm and had fun.