Busy Memorial Day Weekend...

Hey kids! I wanted to let you both know, we had a blast today.  This has been the most fun we have ever had over a long weekend.  We went to a 50th Anniversary party for Daddy's godparents.  You both got to go on your very first boat ride to the site!

Xavier, you went fishing for the first time ever and loved it.  You caught 6 fish.  You refused to touch them and the worms but, that's okay.  You eventually did touch the fish though with a finger poke!

After the Anniversary picnic, we went to Auntie E and Uncle P's camp site.  That was a treat.  You both got to play in the river and met a couple of new friends. You played bubbles and ate some really good grilled food including a new favorite roasted marshmallows and S'mores!

Uncle P even offered for you to stay the night, X-man!

I was so very proud of my ability to cloth diaper Addy-bee the entire day even in non-diaper changing friendly environments (i.e. the country/golf club and outdoors in the woods). I was able to do it and it wasn't even a little difficult. I used pre-folds and covers mostly and a couple of pocket diapers for quick changes.  Our first few changes were in the grass on a changing pad and the last few were in my brother's camper on the floor.  It all worked out perfect!

Well, our long weekend ends tomorrow.  We should be going to the beach with Uncle S and Auntie D for some fun in the sun.  It will be Addy-bee's first time at Newport Beach.  I hope it's fun!

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Envelope Neck Tees

Oh joy, I found a tutorial for making an envelope neck t-shirt (like a Onesie neck).  Click Here for the tutorial. I love the way an envelope neckline looks on my Addy-bee but, I hate that the Onesie covers her a adorable cloth diapers! This is a perfect solution.  I hope I can get the ambition to make a few for the summer.  MAYBE, I can try making a few dresses with this same concept! Thanks to http://www.dana-made-it.com for posting the 90-minute tee-shirt tutorial! You made my day!

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Cloth Diapers for Baby Dolls (Tutorial Link)

Check out the Baby Doll Cloth Diaper tutorial link on Skip to my Lou.  There is a link to a free pattern to make your own doll cloth diaper.  I have been searching for something like that to make for my daughter! I can't wait to make one... (pssst.. I am sewing one as you read this!) I'll post pictures of baby doll in one once I finish, have batteries in my camera and can pry baby doll away from Addy long enough to take the picture! LOL. 

I hope you enjoy the Skip to my Lou website.  There are lots of really cute hand-made ideas. I am going to be checking back frequently!

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Laundry Detergent... Go Green.. DIY!

A blog friend of my has posted a great blog about being greener by making your own earth friendly laudry detergent.  Check out her blog HERE.

I can't wait to make my own! Thank you Go Green Street!

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Oh I want to be "green" er....

I am really trying to be a bit more green.  I recently made some lunch accessories for my kids from some fabric I bought at a huge discount at Joann's.  I made them each a sandwich wrap, a velcro closure pouch for X-man and a flip close pouch for Addy-Bee.  They both love there eco-friendly lunch accessories and I love that they are different from everyone else so, the staff knows who they belong too.  


Now that I have eliminated plastic bags from lunches, I really started thinking about grocery shopping.  Although I do not do the grocery shopping normally, I leave that to the hubby, I came across a few websites and blogs that offer free patterns to sew and crochet various size grocery bags.  I think I may have to make some.  They seem so much more durable than the store bought "eco"-friendly bags.  We've had a few break after the first use, not so "eco"-friendly in my book since they only lasted for one use and they had to be thrown away!

Below I have linked to the blogs and websites I think had the most interesting and easy to make eco-friendly bags. I hope you too find them useful!  If I get around to making one of them over the next week/weekend, I will post some pictures.

The Adventures of Cassie

Re-usable Crochet Grocery Bag Pattern

 

Between the Lines

Quick Fix (T-Shirt) Grocery Bag Tutorial

(with pictures)

Wisdom of the Moon

Fabric Produce Bag

A Day in the Life of the Hooks

Scrappy Re-Usable Produce Bag

I added the 2 produce bags because I thought, "Wow, what an awesome idea!" I never thought of all those small plastic bags I use every time I purchase produce! Yes, I am the produce shopper. Eliminated all those plastic produce bags is something I must change. I will be converting my own old sheer curtains and a couple of laundry mesh bags that have ripped into some produce bags!

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To the gDiaper Moms out there....

Diapers.com has gDiaper's on sale!

Sweet Bundle - 6 gPants and 4 gRefill packs

reg $137.95 

on sale $89.99 

gRefill Case 

reg $57.96 

on sale $45.00

6-pack of gCloth Inserts 

reg. $29.99 

on sale $25.00

Little gPants S/M/L all colors 

reg. $16.99 

on sale $15.00

If you're new to diapers.com, you can use referral code MOMMY911 and receive $10.00 off your first order of $49.00 or more. There are some restrictions that apply.


I love diapers.com and I purchase everything cloth diaper related from their site.  It has just about every popular cloth diaper out there.  It really is my favorite place.  I also like their referral program. It's worth checking out.  I've purchased everything from a stroller to cloth diapers to bath supplies to clothing to toys! They have almost ANYTHING you might be looking for.  Diapers.com really is a one stop online shop!


If you're looking for a new place to shop check out Diaper.com and don't forget, if your purchase includes a diaper item and is at least $49.00, use referral coupon code MOMMY911 


Click here for details on how to use the referral code MOMMY911


Thank you! I was not paid for this "review"! I purchase my own items through the online store. I wrote this for those who may not have heard of diaper.com. If you use my referral code, I get a $10.00 referral credit to my account and you also get $10.00 off your order! Thanks again!

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Cotton Babies made me cry....

I was reading through a Cloth Diaper blog that belongs to Cotton Babies and found a giveaway for a $100 gift certificate to their website.  The post is suppose to show how thankful you are for your little one in your life.  Below is my post. I placed it her as this blog is about me, my feelings about being a Mom and a few other things.  Someday, I would like my children to be able to read what I posted here.  I want them to know what my feeling about things were.  This is the premise of the Cotton Babies giveaway post too.  How cool that I get to enter a contest and mark my entry for prosperity.  


Now on to the post I wrote as a comment on their blog!


After 7 years of waiting for a baby to enter my life here is my story of how our family grew:

My husband and I tried for many years to conceive a child after 7 years and many failed attempts, little man, you were born. My life felt complete. I thought I could never love anything as much as I love you. I love hugging you, talking to you and playing games with you. I never knew how wonderful being your mother would actually be. You amaze me every day and my heart grows every time you smile! 3 years had passed and our family grew larger. Baby girl, you were born at a time when I needed to love even more. You came along and my life completely changed. You show me every day how to love more than ever. You helped me find emotions I never knew I could find. You make me cry with happiness every time I think of you. I never wanted to have a little girl, honestly, but without you I would never be the Mom that I always knew I had in me. I love that you're my daughter. Thank you both for choosing me as your Mommy!

Love, Mumma


If you would like to enter the giveaway click here.  It ends on May 14, 2010!

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Motherhood Monday 5/10

What's the longest you've been away from your children? 

• I've never been away from my kids for longer than a few hours.  Minus the week I spent in the hospital after a c-section.  My son and daughter only spend a few hours a day without me.
• Recently, They have been going to pre-school for 8 hours 2 days a week and it is a long time for both of them and me!

Did you do it for personal reasons? 

• Yes, it was for personal reasons.  I started a new position that required some day shifts and could not pass up the opportunity to be on salary! I miss them and they break my heart every time I drop them off!

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Monday Mayhem 5/10

1. How old is your Mom? If she has passed away, how old would she be?

• She would be 71, she passed away at 52.

2. What is/was your Moms worst habit?

• swearing

3. What famous person does/did your Mom resemble (a picture of that famous person would be nice)?

• I don't think my Mom looked like anyone famous but her personality reminded me a lot of Rosanne.

4. What would be one meal that you would love for your Mom to cook for you right now?

• not a meal but home made popcorn made in a pressure cooker... I always loved that!

5. Was your Mom a Stay at Home Mom or did she have to go to a work/job (and yes, Mayhem understands and knows that being a Stay at Home Mom is work/job) when you were growing up?

• She worked but was usually home by the time I was home from school.  That is if my Dad picked her up on time. She didn't drive.

6. If you could change one thing about your Mom what would it be?

• The only change I would make is that she didn't die.

7. Did you ever make your mom cry? if so, explain.

• Not that I ever saw but I am sure something about her made me cry at least once in her life.  The only instance I can think of is she cried when she found out she was pregnant with me. Cried and swore a whole lot from what I've been told LOL!

8. Have you ever told a lie to your Mom to protect yourself or someone else? If yes, have you come clean and told your Mom the truth?

• I lied to my Mom a lot and no, sadly I never got the chance to come clean on any. She died when I was 18 so, who owns up to anything at 18?

9. What is the one thing that you most admire about your Mom?

• I admired her determination.  She fought brain cancer for 6 or 7 years (that I know of) and she was very determined to live to see me graduate from high school and go to college.  She lived 3 months past my high school graduation!

10. In 10 words or less, describe your Mom.

• Loving, determined, crafty, patient and missed!

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Getting to Know You @ Mannland5

The questions..

1. What has been your most memorable Mother's Day? (with your mom, as a mom, or with your wife)

• This Mother's Day was my most memorable (well the best one so far that is). I actually got what I wanted every year. Something handmade by my babies! I got a frame that my daughter colored and my son put stickers on. I also got hand prints and foot prints from each of them with poems that they made in school!

2. Have you ever been pulled over for speeding and were you able to talk your way out of it?

• Yes, and was not able to get out of it but then again, my comment to the cop was, "just give me the ticket and let me be on my way, I know I was wrong but I wasn't going that fast!"

3. What's the oldest thing you have hanging in your closet?

• a pair of jeans from when I was 16 that I will never fit into for the rest of my life but they have memories and I can't give them up!

4. Do you whiten your teeth?

• nope

5. Underwear or Panties..What do you call your "unmentionables"?

• underpants

6. If you could go on vacation right now..today..where would you go?

• California, I'd like to see my friend and my God daughter before she get's so old she forgets who we are!

7. Do you get offended when people cuss on their blogs?

• No, I could care less. It's called freedom of speech! 

8. If you had to give up one luxury item, it would be....?

• I guess you would like me to say my laptop however, I won't. I would give up TV before anything!

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Bummis Cloth Wipes Winner's Review

Bummis Cloth Wipes are amazing.  I use them for myself and my kids.  They are great for nose wipes, as well as, washing faces! They are small and compact so I keep them in my purse and diaper bag for times when we are out and about.  They come in very handy when we are out to eat or at the park.  Just a small amount of water and a hand-made soap bit get's them clean the green way! 

Bummis Wipes are super soft and absorbent! We love them and are looking into purchasing a couple more packages! Thank you to Shannon from Coupon Mommy of 3 for her great review and giveaway.  Without you, I would have never found this wonderful product. If you wish to purchase your own, please head over to the Bummis shop.  They have a new color combination coming Spring of 2010. I might have to purchase them myself now!

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Leg Huggers Winner's Review

I won Leg Huggers from Emi at The Cloth Diaper Report back in December.  I've had quite a few opportunities to use them.  My daughter looks absolutely adorable in them.  As a warning to those with boys, they are more of a purple/lavendar color than a blue/grey color.

What I like most about the Leg Huggers is they are made from a bamboo blend that is super soft on my daughter's skin.  

Another great reason to love Leg Huggers is cloth diapering.  Since I cloth diaper, Leg Huggers have been a blessing.  No need to strip down my baby in the cold weather to change her diaper.  I stopped using tights all together.  Leg huggers and socks were all the rage for me during the winter!

I'm also attaching a link to Emi's review and the giveaway I won.  Check out what she has to say about them.  I'd like to add a huge THANK YOU to Emi for such a great review and to Agoo Apparel, Inc. for sending me such a wonderful surprise.

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Happy Mother's Day to a Mom long gone....

I've been thinking of my Mom a lot lately. A lot more than I ever did in my entire life.  I don't know if it's this new blogging thing I've been doing but, I really have started to miss her. Finally! It's not like it's a bad thing that I miss her. It's actually a good thing. Maybe I am starting to finally grieve?  Anyway, I decided to write her a letter and tell her all about my life and what has happened since she left... so, here goes....


Dear Ma,

I miss you deeply.  I wish you never left when you did.  I am glad I was there to hold your hand, to lay with you, to watch you take that last breath. I'm happy you were surrounded by love.  I don't remember much of you, after all, I was just a teen.  You were my Mom, and sadly, not yet a friend. After you left, my life went on.  I married Keith and I know the promise he made to you.  We finally had children, your youngest grandchildren.  Mom, they are so awesome! I wish you could share in their lives with me!

X-man is a great kid, he's smart. He's a lot like I was at four. He wants to know everything and learning comes natural to him. I just wish he enjoyed reading as much as I did.  Addy-bee is a sweet little girl.  But, she is definitely your curse on me! :o) She is so stubborn at times.  She's truly a girl.  She wants what she wants and when she wants it. Much like I was. No, exactly like I was.  You would love them Ma and they would have loved you.  It's tough trying to explain to them that you were their other Grandma. It's hard for them to understand.  They do say they know you're with Jesus in Heaven so, maybe they have some sense of who you were.

I wish I had pictures of you.  Lots of pictures and not just a simple few.  I wish I had more to remember you by, more photos, momentos and such.  I do have your passion for yarn. I even have all your needles.  I try to teach myself to knit, it's hard.  I crochet instead.  You taught me how when I was seven and I never forgot. I've made a lot of adorable things for the kids, just like you would have!

Ma, though you were only in my life for a brief 18 years, you taught me a lot about what being a loving parent means.  You taught me to sacrifice things for my family. You taught me to enjoy my children while I have them, to always hug them and always tell them I love them (all the muches in the world).  I'll never forget your last words to me, "Remember I love you and always will." Have a great Mother's Day, Mom, watch over us, we know you're always there!

Your Loving Baby Girl,
Patty

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Win a Cascadian Farms Live Green Together Prize Pack (5/11)

Mummy Deals is having a Cascadian Farms Prize Pack Giveaway.  You can win some wonderful organic food products for you and your family.  The "Live Green Together" prize pack includes Cascadian Farm cereals and granola bars, including:

• Fruitful O´s cereal 
• Cinnamon Crunch cereal 
• Chocolate Chip Chewy granola bars 
• Dark Chocolate Almond Granola 
• Dark Chocolate Almond granola bars 
• Oats & Honey granola
• and an eco-friendly grocery bag.

My children would love the granola bars. I would love the peace of mind knowing the ingredients were organically grow!

You can also head over to the Cascadian Farms Facebook page for eco-friendly tips and choose one of eight pledges to living green. For each person that signs a pledge now through May 31, 2010, Cascadian Farm will donate $1, up to $40,000, to the Organic Farming Research Foundation, which fosters the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems.

Since I already cloth diaper my daughter, buy pre-owned clothing and donate all our clothing that no longer fits to charities and friends/family who have children younger than us, I figure that I'd pledge to continue re-using clothing.  

Contest closes on Tuesday May 11 at midnight

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Lamebook Funny

Found another Funny from Lamebook!

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Post It Note Tuesday 5/4

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Monday Mayhem 5/3

1. What time do you usually wake up in the morning?

• 7:45 MTR
• 9:00 WF

2. What do you do for the first hour of your day?

• try to wake up! 
• Shower 
• wake the kids and fight for the rest of the hour to get them dressed!

3. Where did or will you have for lunch today?

• Subway 

4.  What did you or will you be eating lunch? 

• 6" Italian on wheat toasted with all the veggies they could fit in it!

5. What is your best high school memory?

• probably would have to say any time I was in Band Class

6. Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes.

• Love my Crocs and recently love a pair of flip flops I purchased at Payless, they are brown leather with little stones on them. So Cute!

7. What does a perfect Sunday afternoon include for you?

• Family time.. actual family time.. not just being in the same room as the family but actually interacting and TALKING with them.

8. Was there one book that you read as a child that you still cherish?

• The Light in the Attic. My SIL recently found the book I had as a child. I gave it to my nephew when he started to read.  My SIL gave it back to me and now I read it to my son and daughter!

9. How would the people that know you personally describe you?

• Hilarious, kind, honest, fair and generous!

10. How would the people who only know you online describe you?

• Friendly, honest, determined? (well, I do enter a lot of contests LOL)

11. How will you be treating yourself today?

• I had some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream in a chocolate dipped cone for a snack tonight... half licked by my daughter but it was a cool relief to the heat

12. What is your definition of being spiritual? Are you spiritual?

• Spiritual to me is believing in the higher power and living his way. I am sort of spiritual.

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Monday Minute @ DDoR

1 - How much would you have to be paid to eat a human cadaver's finger?

You could NEVER pay me enough. I can't STAND the smell of formaldehyde and eeeuuuu it's a human being!

2 - Describe the worst physical fight you've ever been in.

9th grade year, sucka punched a douche bag in my French class for calling me "Fat Pat" for a week straight during class (during the entire class repeatedly, over and over again! Yah, annoying right?)  He never said it again. He got suspended for 3 days. I got sent back to class. (I drew blood sucka!)

3 - Name one song that if you never heard it ever again, you'd be thrilled.

Celebration... oh Dear God, that song goes right through me!

4 - Describe the "drunkest" situation you've ever been.

I don't think I have EVER been drunk. Seriously, I've drank but never to the point that I didn't know anything that was going on.  Never to the point that I did not know what I was doing. Just enough to get red, warm cheeks. :o)

5 - What's your biggest regret?

Wishing away my childhood.  Always wishing I was older like the rest of my brothers and sisters. Taking my Mom for granted and not truly sitting with her when she was alive.  I regret not giving her time as a teen (but I was a teen and that's what they do). I regret not asking my mother all the questions I have now about parenting! Ya, I have a lot of regrets but, now I move on and try not to develop any more!

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