Moving To NYC

I just found out that my sister in laws older sister is moving to Manhattan! How cool is that? She's single--and it's really adventurous of her, but can you imagine, just picking up and moving? Sally is going to fly out to help her out as her mover NYC, I would love to join them, but with the kids, there is not a chance. It's always been my dream to visit and Christmas shop. The closest I ever got was Thanksgiving and the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. But really, I want snow, and hustle and bustle--and to shop at FAO Schwartz on Christmas Eve! Can you imagine?? Now I'll just have to call Emily--and hang out at her place!

Delta Faucets

When we moved into our house, you wouldn't believe the 70's motif that was going on in some of the rooms. Mind you, that's when the house was built--but come on, in 30 years no one found the time to update? The first thing we did was a bathroom redo. New toilets, shower and tub and best of all new Delta faucets! These are perfect! Beautiful, affordable, durable and stylish! I was mortified to bring people through that bathroom for the longest time, but no more! Everything is just perfect, and beautiful!

Hannah Montana Memorabilia

When I think of the word memorabilia, I generally think of sports memorabilia. You know, bobble heads, baseball cards, collectible jerseys. All things that my family really isn't interested in. But I found a site that specializes in memorabilia of all kinds. Sport, Movie, Television and for my family...Music! They have amazing choices from Hannah Montana to High School Musical. My kids would especially this Hannah Montana set.



On the movie side, I would love the Pirates of the Caribbean or Harry Potter sets myself--or even the Bourne Identity! I just find it amazing that all of these priceless items are available at very reasonable prices.

I would really want somewhere special in the house to showcase a beautiful piece like this, somewhere where the kids can't get to it and destroy it! Once I find that space--I will have to do some shopping. There is even a really amazing "Peanuts" set if you love the classic cartoon. I have a friend who has decorated her entire house in Snoopy stuff. From kitchen canisters to bedding. She's definitely going to want to see this for herself, because it would be perfect in her home theater in the basement!

If you are a fan of movies, sports, music or really anything--check out this site--they are bound to have something of interest to you!

Quick Last Minute Neighbor Gift

You'll need Oatmeal, Christmas Glitter, baggies and ribbon.

Fill each baggie with 1/8 cup oatmeal and 1 teaspoon glitter. Attach the cute little tags with curling ribbon and curl. Hand these out on Christmas Eve.

Remember to save one for your own little ones!

This has been a great activity for my family. We all gather at the kitchen table and each child has a job from the oldest to the youngest. My youngest will hold the bag open while the next in line adds the glitter, the next will add the oatmeal, the next punches the holes and cuts the ribbon and the oldest ties on the tags. We have hot cocoa and cookies, play Christmas carols and make a wonderful night of it. The kids look forward to it every year.

Then on Christmas Eve, as we are out and about heading to wherever we are going, the kids each get the opportunity to run up to the homes of our neighbors and friends and hand them the Magic Reindeer Food. They always know that we will have one left over for ourselves. Then just before bedtime on Christmas Eve, they run outside to find the perfect place to sprinkle the food. We sprinkle it on the lawn (snow), and head back inside for hot cocoa, cookies, bedtime stories and prayer before they are tucked snuggled into their beds.

I Love Christmas!

Medical Jewelry

We've all seen the Medic-Alert bracelets that people wear letting EMT's and doctors know just what they're allergic too, or what other problems they have. They were always very conspicuous. If you met a person wearing one, you knew exactly what it was for. But these days you can actually get medical jewelry. It does the same thing, but in a little less conspicuous way. There are really cool watches with the information printed on them, or a little dressier bracelet or pendant. Just something new to handle the same old problem. I think they are a great idea!

A Little Tape Will Do

If you walk by my computer you may just laugh! My cords are literally taped to the all with scotch tape. You see, my Cat 5 wire that connects my modem to the phone line is missing it's little tooth that holds it in place. So until I can get out and buy a new one, it's taped into place on the DSL breaker. Then the DSL breaker is also missing it's tooth and won't stay in the wall. So it's taped to the phone jack with scotch tape! Honestly, as bad as it sounds, it's a tremendous improvement over last month...they were all stuck together with band aids because I didn't have any tape! Ah, life with kids!!

Baby Needs

I just recently gave away my baby furniture. It was about time, and a neighbor was having twins and really needed all of the help she could get. I can't imagine needing two of everything! Plus, how much room will two baby cribs take up in the nursery? I had so much fun shopping for all of my baby necessities that it was hard to see some of it go. I'm done with kids, I do know that. But I honestly think that a part of me will always want "just one more". My husband is far happier to be done than I would like, but hey, not everyone can be as baby hungry as me! It's what I always wanted-and now that all of my babies are gone--I can't help but want more!

Student Loans

When I was younger and contemplating what to do after high school, I can honestly say, there was no such thing as a private student loan. You could get three different government ones, but nothing beyond that. And if your parents showed too much income on their tax return, you didn't even qualify for that. So basically, if you didn't qualify for one of the three--you were out of luck. I'm happy to see that there are now different options. More and more kids are being forced out of a college education because of the soaring tuition rates. Hopefully there will be many more opportunities for these kids to find the help that they need to finish their education.

Gifts For Dad

Does your husband wear a watch? Mine doesn't, must be something to do with the workplace. I honestly wish he would because then there would be one more gift idea every time a holiday rolled around. He gets nothing of the "cliche" dad gifts, no ties or handkerchiefs. No wallets or watches. He gets plenty of homemade cards and crafts and lets be honest, I think those are more enjoyed than the tie collection ever could be. But to go out and get him a really nice watch like an Audemars Piguet or a BVLGARI, heck even a pre-owned Rolex would be awesome. But since he's not that into watches, a beautiful hand colored card will have to do!

Kindergarten Math Box

My youngest son's kindergarten teacher sent him home with a Math Box, just for him, and for him to keep, and she sends home daily activities for him to do with it. It is absolutely wonderful for him, more of a game than learning, yet he learns SO much from it. It has been so great for him that I wanted to share it with you.

Contents:
Box
Folder for Activity Sheets
Chalkboard and Chalk
Attribute Shapes
Number Cards
Dot Cards
Clay
5 Paper Clips
25 Colored Toothpicks
25 Miscellaneous Buttons
4 Small Paper Plates
Red, White and Black Beans
Math Journal
Pattern Block Shapes
Adding Machine Tape
2 Tangrams (different colors)
Q-Tip
10 Pipe Cleaners
Yarn
5 Straws
1 Hanger
5 Clothes Pins
2 Dice
Pad of Sticky Notes
Calculator
Ruler

Put the loose items such as the beans, toothpicks and buttons in plastic baggies.

I will add daily activities to keep your child entertained and learning. Keep checking back for new activities and printouts.