Keeping My Fingers Crossed

Happy Haul-idays from Chronicle Books

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:51:00 +0000

I love books. All kinds of books. Chronicle books has several fun books that I'd love to have. They currently are offering a Happy Haul-idays giveaway of $500 worth of books to a lucky blogger and a commenter from their blog and also a charity of their choosing. What a great giveaway!

I browsed Chronicle books and these are the ones I'd love:

For Me:

Hand Held Pies 19.95

Braises and Stews 22.95

Potpie 18.95

The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America 29.95

Why Did I Buy this Book 16.95

Show and Tell 24.99

Sunday Roasts 24.95

Heirloom Beans 22.95

For the Girls:

Chicken Big 16.99

Feelings Flash Cards 14.99

Shadow 15.99

Winters Night Pop Up Advent Calendar 10.99

Doodle 123 19.99

The Woods 16.99

Follow the Star 19.99

Noah's Ark 16.99

Over and Under the Snow 16.99

Snow Riders 6.95

The Other Side 15.99

Squiggles 19.99

Big Rabbits Bad Mood 16.99

Sparkle and Spin 15.95

All Mixed Up 8.95

Mazescapes 16.95

Emily's Balloon 14. 99

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee 15.95

In the Town All year 'Round 16.99

What Sisters/Brothers Do Best 15.99

What books would you choose? Tell me something you'd pick for yourself and something you'd pick for someone else.

And if I win don't forget that you'd get the same books that I chose. And for my charity, I'd choose to let my church, New Hope Community have the $500 to choose books for their elementary school classes. They could really benefit from some books since we currently have a very limited supply to work with.

**forgot to mention that this chronicle books giveaway ends Dec 2, 2011 (I know it ends today but it took me several days to pick out my books!)

Birthin' with Love - Doula Services

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:23:00 +0000

If you are in the Houston area and are in need of a doula or childbirth education classes, check out Birthin' with Love. Their next childbirth education classes begin January 8, 2011.

Mattress Giveaway @Reluctant Renovator

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 02:17:00 +0000

Found a giveaway for an icomfort Serta mattress that ends tomorrow! I know short notice but I'm so glad I found it. I need a new mattress so bad! I can't tell you how often I wake up with numb arms or legs, a sore back and neck, and aching knees and hips. My mattress is so old and dips in the middle. I know several other people need some new mattresses as well, so I thought I'd share the info; even though I want to keep it secret so I can win. LOL!

You can enter to win at Reluctant Renovator (ends 7/7/2011)

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party 2011

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:35:00 +0000

Welcome to Keeping My Fingers Crossed and the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!

Come in and have a cupcake.

Maybe a pickle? Which seems to be the favored snack around here. The girls would eat bowls of pickles all day long if I'd let them.

flickr by magpiebride

Or maybe a pickle cupcake?

flickr by norwichnuts

I'll keep my introduction short since I know you are visiting lots of people today.

I'm Lace, the creator, writer, editor, photographer, of this ~~sometimes neglected~~ blog. The cast of characters often include; my nieces Buttercup (6) and Pony (4), my mom, myself, and various other people. I write about many ~~random~~ interesting things including; crafting, my addiction to pajamas, my ♥ of the library, bike riding, and a few product reviews.

If I'm not here, I'm editing your giveaway posts at Prizey. Which I have been fortunate to contribute and work at since it's beginning.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see some of you visit again. Make sure to stop by 5MinutesforMom and join in all the party fun.

TV Nostalgia

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I've been feeling a bit nostalgic about some of my favorite TV shows of the past and wishing they were still airing new episodes. A few of my favorites:

Homefront (1991-1993) - Family drama that takes place after WW2 and how the family/town moves on from the war.

Veronica Mars (2004-2007) - Teen sleuth investigates her BFFs murder

Pushing Daisies (2007-2009) - Quirky sleuthing team solves various murders

Party of Five (1994-2000) - Family's struggles after their parents are killed in a car accident

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) - Relationship between mother and daughter and their eccentric townsfolk

Jericho (2006-2008) - After a nuclear attack, one town learns to band together

Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000) - Two different groups experiences in high school during the 80s

I actually just discovered Freaks and Geeks and I'm loving catching up on all the episodes. I'll be sad when it's over in just a few short episodes.

One thing I've noticed, I watch a lot of shows that seem to get cancelled after just one or two seasons. They are great shows, fun and quirky, or just plain awesome TV but for some reason don't get a huge audience and the TV execs give up on them. Much to the dismay of their fans.

I'm so glad I can catch past episodes of many TV shows on DVD and great sites like Hulu.

What shows do you miss? I'd love to find out if we have the same taste in shows or if there is a show I've been missing and need to go find on Netflix, Youtube, or Hulu.

Flat Screen Dilemmas

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:57:00 +0000

Our family has been thinking about purchasing a flat screen for our main TV in the living room. We do have a small flat screen in the kitchen. But what do you put your TV on? Hanging it on the wall is one idea I like. It would make a bit more floor space in the living room. But then what do you do with all the TV components? You know the DVD player, DVR, VCR (yes we still have one hooked up to our TV), stereo equipment and speakers. What's the solution for all that stuff?

I guess you will still need some kind of LCD TV stand or cabinet system to store the extras in. Something like these 2 stands would be my first choice, maybe with the TV mounted on the wall above it.

If you have a flat screen TV, do you have it mounted on the wall or sitting on a TV stand? And what have you done about all the extra stuff TVs require? I'd really love some ideas on the best way to organize my entertainment area without it looking cluttered. And how do you hide all the cords so they aren't hanging down the wall from the TV?

I Puffy Heart w/Glitter the Library

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:46:00 +0000

I *puffy heart w/glitter* the library. I always have. I remember as a kid being so excited to ride my bike to the library to find something new to read. The library I visited as a kid is a Carnegie library that was opened in 1903 and in use until 1994. It's a beautiful brick and stone building that I've always thought would make a great house. One of my favorite features of the library was a curved stone staircase that led to the children's section in the basement. I felt like I was in a castle whenever I went down those stairs. I miss the old building; the worn front steps, the vault in the back, the wooden steps so kids could stand at the counter, and the bookmarks made from old wallpaper samples.

(vintage photo of my old library)

(I'll try and find a new photo)

I visit the library at least once a week and sometimes more. They have a great selection of books and if you can't find a book in the library our state has a great inter-library loan system, which I use often. They also have great programs. We've participated in several of them. Kid's reading programs in the summer, story times, zoo animal visits, library at the park, and tea parties. We attended a Fancy Nancy Tea Party recently that was so much fun.

Buttercup and Pony love to visit the library with me and could spend just as long of time in there as me. Each time they visit, they check out an Elephant and Piggie book by Mo Willems. I usually have to keep them from checking out all of them.

One thing about the library that I'm not sure you know (or maybe you do?) is that its a black hole where time doesn't exist. I enter the library, browse some books and choose the book I want. The next thing I know, I've been in the library for 2 hours! and it only felt like I was there for 30 mins. Does this happen to you? I once missed an entire class period in high school because I was so engrossed in my research that I didn't hear the bell ring for the next hour and I looked at the clock and had been in the library for 2 class periods. It happens to me all the time.

I'm headed to the library today to pick up some more books. Show your library some love and go get some books.

CSN Winner

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:03:00 +0000

And the winner of the $80 CSN gift certificate is: #20 traciet

Who said: I would to get paula deen cookware in red!

traciet, you have 2 days to claim your prize! I'm sending you an email right now. So please email me back our I'll have to choose a new winner.

Thank you CSN for providing a great prize and everyone who entered.

I had one duplicate comment (actually someone who posted 2 comments). So I ignored one of her comments and skipped it when I was counting to get the winner.

(I really need to figure out how to do the screen capture thingy of the random.org site)

CSN Stores, Extra Seating, and a Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:01:00 +0000

*Contest Over - Winner is traciet*

Now that the Holidays are here and we have more family gatherings, I find that we need a few more places for people to sit. The floor is always good and that is where I tend to sit when there are no chairs left but not everyone can sit on the floor. Another option might be to use home bar furniture like bar stools. CSN has a great selection of bar stools and pub tables from modern to traditional to outdoor styles.

I really like the shape of this bar stool. It's fun.

I have a few friends that have pub style tables and I really like them. I like their height. This would be the table and chair set I'd choose. I think my style leans more towards simple clean lines with a bit of traditional in the mix. Actually, this set looks similar to our Amish made table and chair set we have now.

You can find so much more at CSN's 200+ stores than you'd have imagined. I'm really loving this sandbox and think that we need to upgrade our plastic ladybug sandbox to this much larger and nicer box.

Buttercup and Pony would adore this vanity and the standing mirror would go great in their room near their dress-up center.

And I think that every kid should have an easel for maximum art production.

If you remember, I reviewed a toddler bed last year and found CSN a great company to work with. They have quality products and great service.

Giveaway

I have a great surprise for you. CSN Stores has allowed me to offer my readers and guests an $80 gift certificate to their stores. I'm going to make this giveaway really simple to enter with just one mandatory entry question (which gives everyone one entry into the giveaway).

Rules and How to Enter

Mandatory Entry: Visit CSN stores and leave a comment on this post with something you found that you think makes a great gift for a friend or family member.
giveaway ends December 19, 2010 at 11:59 pm est.
winner will be chosen using random.org sequence generator, first number listed is the winner according to comment order on blog post.
winner will be contacted by email shortly after giveaway ends (or the next morning) and will have 2 days to respond (from time/date stamp on email) in order to claim their prize or a new winner will be drawn.
please have your email available in your profile or leave it in your comment (if I can't send you an email, you can't win).
one entry per person (please don't leave multiple comments. The first comment will be your entry and all others will be thrown out)
giveaway is open to US and Canada residents (anyone may enter even if you know me in real life or have never met me as long as you live in the US or Canada. Random.org picks the winners)
shipping charges may apply
rules and dates subject to change
sponsor is responsible for prizes

And just because I'm curious, what do you use for extra seating?

***********
disclosure:
I was not paid to write this post and did not receive any compensation; however, I am a CSN preferred blogger and have received review products in the past. CSN stores offered to provide my readers with a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Fall into Cooking with Skin MD Naturals

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 02:22:00 +0000

Skin MD Natural is hosting an amazing Fall into Cooking giveaway. You can win a ceramic cooking set and a years supply of Skin MD Natural. I don't know about you, but my skin is already starting to feel the cold snap of the wind with dry, itchy hands. And I could use some new pans. These are gorgeous! I'm heading over right now to enter, are you?

The giveaway starts Oct. 23 and ends Nov. 20. To enter, visit the giveaway page at Skin MD Natural.

In addition to a fun giveaway, Skin MD Natural is offering 20% off unitil Nov. 30. Just enter the discount code FALL10 during check out at www.skinmdnatural.com

(I'm not hosting this giveaway. To enter, you need to visit the link above)

Babywearing Love

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:20:00 +0000

Have you heard that your choice of how you carry your baby might be in danger? That is your choice on using carriers (ring slings, mei tais, pouch slings etc). The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commision) is going after all carriers warning that they are unsafe.

The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) is working to create standards for carriers and promote education on the proper usage of slings. You can read the BCIA's mission statement and position here.

My love of babywearing began early in the year 2007. I didn't know anyone who used slings and didn't know of any classes in my area to learn from. I researched lots of information and styles of slings to see what was the best. I still wasn't sure if it was for me so I looked up patterns to make my own figuring if I didn't like it, I was only out some material and time. I created a pouch sling from a pattern I found at Karma Baby. A few months after that, I won a ring sling from Posh Papoose and I was hooked! My next purchase was a mei tai from Bloo Kangaroo which I love. I've made a couple more pouches for friends and received a few more pouches and ring slings.

I can't imagine not using slings with babies and toddlers. I'm able to do so much:

keep them close while in public.
get things finished.
offer comfort and a cozy place to sleep.
a ride when their legs get tired from walking
a different point of view
safety
snuggles
love

and so much more!

Anyone can use slings. I'm an aunt and use them to carry my nieces. My Mom has used them to carry her granddaughters. I've used them with friends' babies I was caring for. My Dad has even used them once or twice. Sadly, my babywearing days are currently on hold since the girls are getting so big. We've used the mei tai only a few times in the last year.

If you have any questions about babywearing search the internet for any local classes near you. I would have loved to attend some classes and might in the future. I'd love to try wrapping next.

Make sure to visit Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing before Oct. 10, 2010 to see more stories of babywearing, get more information about the BCIA, and share your own story to be entered for a Sakura Bloom Ring Sling (which are amazing and I'd love to own).

feisty frugal & fabulous and natura world mattress

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:22:00 +0000

Sorry about the last minute notice but I'd really love to win this twin mattress from Natura World (and I'd like the extra points from telling you about it)

Feisty Frugal & Fabulous and Natura World are giving away a twin Moonbeam mattress. Enter by tonight at 9pm cst.

The oldest doesn't fit on the toddler bed anymore and she complains every time she has to sleep on it. We've taken to putting the mattress on the floor so that she has a bit more room to move around and boy does she move around.

Wordless Wednesday: Goodwill Refashion

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Before

After

Want to see more Wordless Wednesday: WW at 5minsformom or WW

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:47:00 +0000

Welcome to my piece of the internet. Pull up a hammock or a swing, which happens to be our favorite places to sit, and grab a handful of M&Ms. I'm currently working on several handfuls now so grab another handful and catch up. (I just looked back at my UBP post from 2009 and I was eating M&Ms then as well. Those were fancy Spring colors. Today you just get the regular colors.)

My name is lace and I started this blog back in March of 2007 on a whim. I focused on giveaway listings in the beginning and slowly worked a bit more personal stuff in. Now I mostly blog about days with Buttercup and Pony (my nieces). And the giveaway listings I post are at Prizey where I am the Assistant Editor. If you've submitted a giveaway listing to Prizey, I'm the one who edits them and posts them to the site. Hi!

Speaking of prizes there are tons to be won at the UBP 2010!

These are my top choices:

The Grand Prize - Toshiba Laptop
USC17 - $200 apple gift certificate
US3 - $150 A Rocking Horse to Love
Us63 - Razor Rip Rider 360
US1 - $150 Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles

Or any of these: us: 10, 51, 75, 112, 89, 73, 74, 87,
usc: 57, 8, 3, 15, 37, 61, 60, 39, 35,

Actually, I'd be happy with anything really.

Good Luck everyone and have a great time at the UBP 2010!

Dam, Who Lives Here?

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:18:00 +0000

I don't know about your kids but the girls love playing on the computer. Some of their favorite activities are:

Typing their names using Word

Listening to music on grooveshark (because you can pick which songs and how often you hear them) in our rotation is: Gotta Pebble in my Shoe - Ella Fitzgerald and That's How you Know (Enchanted) - Amy Adams (that's it over and over and over)

Watching various Youtube videos

Playing games at PlayhouseDisney, NickJr, HighlightsKids, Peep

This post is about one particular game they like to play at Peep and the Big Wide World. Have you seen Peep? It's a really cute cartoon about a chick (Peep), a bird (Chirp), a duck (Quack) and various animal friends.

On to the game, it's called House Hunt. It's basically a memory matching game where you match an animal with its house. When you click on a leaf it tells you the name of the animal or what kind of house is on the leaf. Along the way, you get some questions and encouraging words like "Who lives here?," "Rabbit," "Good Job!," "Nice going!" "Where does this animal live?,".

One animal friend that lives here is a beaver and the beaver lives in a dam. And I can't help it. I laugh every time I hear the girls play this game (yes I am easily amused). "Beaver, Where does this animal live? Dam! Good Job!" or "Dam, Who lives here?"

You really should play the game to hear how it sounds. So funny.

*I had a .wav file I created of the game but I don't know how to put it here and it's really late and I'm too tired to try and figure it out. I'll try again later. In the meantime, go play the game. It's really fun.

Bedtime Conversations

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:35:00 +0000

Pony: I can't reach my water (said with a pitiful fake cry)
Me: I guess you better grow
Pony: I don't wanna grow. It's smarter to be a kid. Buttercup (older sister) will freak out if I grow.

P: It's too hard to sleep in a bed (sitting up)
M: lay down and try (slightly annoyed voice)
P: But grandpa sleeps up
M: Yes, he does sometimes. Lay down.

Other conversations that took place:

Why Puff the Magic Dragon song doesn't have a girl in it (the book version has the lyrics changed to 'A dragon lives forever but not so little girls and boys'. We were listening to the original version by Peter, Paul and Mary)

Wondering where a cardboard house went that was on display at the library and if she could get her grandpa to make her one.

And a few complaints and questions:

Can't find my pillow, can't reach my pillow, it's too dark, the lights too bright, I don't like my bed, I don't want to be here, where's mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, what's that noise, where's my water, I'm hungry, I don't like covers

and finally she pulled up the covers; snuggled closer to me and was quiet.

The Crazy Cycle of Hair Ties

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:49:00 +0000

I think I've been on a break long enough. I just realized I haven't posted anything here in over a month. That's the longest break I've ever taken. I'm sure I've lost all of my readers (all 2 of them that aren't actually related to me or a great friend) If not say Hi and let me know you are still here.

Nothing profound to post about today just an observation I made a few weeks ago. I have a lot of hair things and they all end up on my bedside table. Often through the day, I pull my hair back or at least part of it to get it out of my face. Then I go to bed and take it out and put it on my table. The next day, I go looking for another hair thing and usually get a new one out. I also have 2 little nieces that contribute to the hair band clutter on my table. Well I cleaned my table and found:

4 headbands
18 bands (elastics)
10 little girl bands
5 cloth bands
7 barrettes
3 bobby pins
4 clips

I was going to take a picture but one of the girls got into them all and scattered them on the kitchen table so I just scooped them all up and deposited them in the bathroom cabinet.

I looked today and there is a new pile growing on my bedside table. It's going to be a never ending cycle of cleaning up hair ties.

Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 01:53:00 +0000

Merry
Christmas

Joy

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:08:00 +0000

Things that bring me joy:

Curling up on the couch and doing nothing but reading all day long

Snuggling with my nieces

Chocolate

looking at old photos

A great movie

Finishing a project

Learning something new

The Sun and it's warmth

My family

A great bowl of soup

What brings you joy? I'd love to know.

Want to read some more joyful things? click on over to Barking Mad

(this is not a complete list and it's in no specific order)

Santa Lives in a Cave

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:09:00 +0000

A conversation with Pony in the car on the way home from Toddler Time today:

Pony: *singing a Christmas song*
Pony: Santa's in a cage.
Me: Santa's in a cage? Why is he in a cage?
Pony: NO! in a cave!
Me: Oh, a cave.
Pony: I'm gonna sing a song so it can float to Santa in his cave so he can wakeup and then it's Christmas time and then he'll bring me presents! *sings Christmas song again and then some more rambling about Santa in his cave*

Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
6. What is your favorite holiday food?
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
9. Favorite holiday song?
10. Favorite holiday pastime?

1. Books, maybe a cute necklace, bike helmet that fits better than the one I currently have, a bed, a laptop, and a bookshelf.
2. A quilt from my Mom
3. Dresses for the girls, waldorf dolls, jewelry
4. Roller skates
5. A play/makeup vanity, games, cupcake maker, slippers
6. Favorite foods: pumpkin pie and stuffing
7. I'd like to make some twirly skirts for the girls and camera lens bags for my brother.
8. A Christmas Story
9. Favorite holiday CD: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's Once Upon a Christmas
10. Playing board games with the family

Tale of a Walk in the Woods and Lost Bubbles

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:21:00 +0000

On our walk we stomped through leaves

Collected leaves

Watched the water flow under the bridge

Threw leaves into the water

And if you look closely, you can see a bottle of bubbles being tossed over as well. (it's a little white and pink smudge falling from Pony's hand) She held those bubbles for the entire walk until she started collecting leaves. The bubbles ended up in the bottom of the basket covered by leaves. Just as she threw the last of the leaves over she yelled "My bubbles!"

Watching the bubbles float away

We continued on with our walk even though she was a bit bummed at losing the bubbles.

We looked for animals living in trees

And then Pony yelled out "My bubbles!" This time in a happier tone. We looked and sure enough the bubbles were floating by us. We had expected them to be long gone by now. But here they were. I ran ahead to try and get in front of the bubbles and find a place that I might be able to reach them.

Standing on a log in the water holding a large branch waiting to snag the bubbles

Success! I was able to snatch them with the branch and guide the bubbles my direction and rescue them from the water.

Some bubbles were blown in triumph and jubilation and then we continued on with our walk and exploration of the woods.

Cute Dress Pattern Giveaway at Grosgrain

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:05:00 +0000

There is a great giveaway at Grosgrain for a set of girls dress patterns. I've been interested in making the girls some super cute and easy dresses.

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/handmade-dress-patterns-guest-giveaway.html

and one more:

This one is for a gift certificate to Aunty Ollie clothing store.

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/aunty-ollie-100-guest-giveaway.html

Scenes from an Apple Orchard

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:45:00 +0000

Pony's New Bed

noreply@blogger.com (lace) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:11:00 +0000

The bed is here and I've finally put it together. We received a toddler bed from CSNBaby.com to review and it came at a perfect time. Pony is ready for a new bed.

The box arrived and the girls were so excited they danced on it.

I think the excitement might have been more to do with the box than what was inside of it. As soon as I got the box opened and emptied, they took it over.

The bed arrives in several pieces that will need to be assembled. All you will need to supply is a screwdriver. Everything else comes in the box. The directions were relatively easy to figure out but it would have been much easier if it would have contained worded directions as well as the pictures. The directions are all picture based and I do a bit better reading directions and then following along with the pictures.

The only thing that had me stumped for a bit were these thingies. They are used to hold the screws in place or something like that. My brother had to help me figure these out. It probably didn't help that the girls were screaming, the phone was ringing, and the music was too loud. It was a bit hard to concentrate.

The bed is almost complete. Now I just have to join the two halves to make one bed.

A few more turns of the last screw and ...

It's finished. After I had the bed completed, I realized I should have built it in the room where I was going to put it. But with Buttercup's help, we carried it up the stairs and into the room.

The bed does not come with a mattress. You will need to supply that yourself. A standard crib mattress fits and since we are taking down the crib, we used the mattress from that.

The bed is made with solid wood and is very sturdy. So sturdy that I've even cuddled up with Pony in the bed. I wouldn't recommend this for a couple of reasons. First, there is a weight limit on the bed of only 50lbs (I think. I'd have to read the sticker on the bed again) and second, it's a little uncomfortable having the railing poke my back and my feet stick out the sides or over the end of the bed. The girls both fit well on the bed. Buttercup is not going to fit for very long in the bed. She's 5 and has just a few inches of space at the ends of the bed before her feet or head hits the head/foot boards. Pony is 3 and has lots of room still.

One of my favorite features is the removable side rails. Not all toddler beds can have their side railings removed. I figure we'll take these off in the near future. I don't think the girls need them to stay on the bed at night.

The girls both really like the bed so much that there has been fights about who gets to sleep in it. The first night they both laid in it. Then neither wanted to lay in it and eventually Buttercup slept in it and Pony ended up going home later that night.

CSNBaby has a great selection of toddler beds, cribs, nursery decor, baby gear and even toys. If you're looking for cheap baby cribs take a look at their site. They have a large selection of cribs with a current selection of about 500 you can choose from.

*********************
I was not paid to write this review. All opinions on the bed are my own. CSNBaby provided the bed for review.