For the past few weeks I’ve been playing around on Pinterest dreaming of the day when I could (and actually would) paint and decorate our master bedroom. It has been almost a decade that I’ve been living/sleeping in a “good enough” room while decorating other people’s houses and rooms. It may sound a bit odd but for me, it was a long overdue change. Guests would come over to my house and I’d purposely close my bedroom doors hoping they would stay closed… sometimes forever. I was never happy with my room and it was always a work in progress — until this past weekend.

FRIDAY

Friday was supposed to be the day that I prepped the room. I had planned on taking everything off the walls, maybe even taping off the baseboards if I got a little overzealous. But Friday was spent doing other things.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning rolled around and I slept in (it was a very long and emotional week and I needed the extra hour). I thought for sure I would walk downstairs and my husband was not going to be in the mood to paint. I came to terms with it and faked a smile while I poured my coffee. I asked him in the best fake-I’m-okay-with-hearing-a-no tone possible and to my surprise he was game! Paint on!

We grabbed the kids and headed upstairs. Once again I faked the yeah-I’m-cool-with-the-kids-in-my-hair-while-I-move-stuff-around tone because that’s the only way we were going to get anything done — while having the kids up our butts. It was probably going to take double the amount of time but hey, it’s a chance to make memories, right?!

I promise you this is not a plug for Benjamin Moore. With that said, I will never buy another paint brand ever again. I’m not exactly sure how many rooms I’ll be painting in the future (the number has probably increased now that Pinterest has come along) but I will forever buy Banjamin Moore. And not just any Benjamin Moore, it has to be Natura.

We started prepping around 10am. We started painting when our 2-year-old went down for a nap – at 1:30pm. Our 4-year-old played on our bed (mostly with my iPad for the first time… yes, I was a tad anxious and now realize I need a child-proof case for it) while we started cutting the walls. I also sent my husband to the store because I bought everything except the trays to put the paint in.

Yeah, let me back up. My 4-year-old who has Sensory Processing Disorder (among a few other things) sat in our room while we painted. The kid that can’t stand the smell of paint let alone anything stronger than the scent of water. While we weren’t painting his bedroom, we were painting a very large room that was sure to stink up the entire house. Ultimately, that’s why I selected the Natura line. We still had the windows open but couldn’t smell a thing. And I’m being completely serious.

The bonus? It took one coat to cover the walls, the paint dried in less than an hour, it carries a Green Promise as an environmentally friendly paint and my favorite part? I had my dream room almost completely set up before the kids went to bed at 8pm. I know… my jaw dropped, too! It would be totally complete and picture-worthy if the Pottery Barn window panels I want weren’t so dang expensive. So until I’m able to order them, this is the teaser you get.

Paint color: Benjamin Moore Santorini Blue

I love Pinterest. Like big puffy paint heart on my 80’s t-shirt love it. But I find it amusing at times — okay, a lot of the time. It amuses me because I’m a creative thinker (notice I didn’t say doer). Most of the time I come up with ideas… I just rarely have the time or means to follow through with said ideas.

Take for instance my Mommy Spaces board. Sure there are some misplaced pins (pins best suited for the Organizing board) but I’m going to leave them in there so I feel like I accomplish something when I actually do organize my colorful craft supplies in perfect little mason jars.

My Mommy Style board cracks me up. Considering my closet if full of clothes that I can’t seem to match and coordinate if my life depended on it and I wear the same daily uniform (ahem. yoga pants), it’s more like a “here’s a bunch of clothes I love” board. Maybe when I can bust out the bins of pre-pregnancy clothes from 5 years ago I’ll be able to match things again – or maybe I’ve lost my touch from being out of practice for so long. Or maybe Pinterest can help me.

One of my favorite boards is my Play Spaces board. That is one thing I can see myself doing considering I rearrange and redecorate our playroom every four months as it is. Well, maybe.

The Arts and Crafts with Kids board is something I’ve already pulled from so that one is proving to be useful. Same with the DIY Projects – Home board and the DIY Projects – Kids board. I can safely say that any and all of my DIY, Sensory Play and crafting boards will get some use.

The Why Didn’t I Think Of That board is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Even if it is lacking pages of genius ideas. Trust me, this one will get hefty.

Although I’m fashionably challenged at the moment and barely have enough time to wipe my kid’s bum let alone cover a baking pan with fabric, one good thing has come from Pinterest in the past few weeks. I’m finally redecorating our master bedroom! This is something I’ve wanted to do for years. I always get so caught up in the playroom and my kid’s rooms that I ignore my space. And I’m totally blaming it all on Pinterest… So when my husband asks why we’re painting our room at 8am on Saturday morning, it’s not my fault. I took a little of what we had, made a few things and bought a few things in order to get it all started. With the help of my Master Bedroom board and Bedroom Ideas board, I was able to visualize my ideas and actually get excited/motivated about my newest project.

So while Pinterest is mostly fluffy bunnies, colorful unicorns, perfect clothes and dreamy destinations, it can actually inspire and excite, too.

It’s really no secret that I adore comfortable clothes for my kids — and myself. Especially myself. I’m all about feeling good… and it just so happen that I feel my best when I’m comfortable.

Being comfortable doesn’t mean you have to look like you just rolled out of bed. Just ask the people behind Tea Collection.

My son is in preschool and they highly suggest avoiding constrictive clothing, especially while potty training. Which is where we are at… still. All his pants have to be elastic waist and easy to pull on and off. Yes, buttoning and zipping is on our active list of things we are working on, but we have an additional obstacle with sensory issues so creating added frustration with tasks like buttoning and zipping is something we’re choosing to avoid at the moment.

Tea Collection has just as many elastic waist pants as they do zip and button pants… and they’re adorable.

We have these Denim look pants…

Aren’t they amazing? Pull-on comfort with full on style.

I should also note that my string bean has a hard time fitting into 90 perfect of elastic waist pants. Most days he’s in a 2T pant just so they stay on his itty-bitty waist — but then he looks as if he’s waiting for a flood.

We also have this Little Citizens Hoodie. Because I simply couldn’t pass it up. Also totally adorable and fits perfectly. And then we have some super comfy but stylish clothes for our 9-year-old, too. He’s not a skinny string bean yet the clothing fits him perfectly as well. It’s kinda like magic.

I love everything Tea stands for. It reminds me of the experiences that children learn as they grow.

Hello world. We’re Tea. Welcome to caring and creation. Discovery and exuberance. Welcome to inspiration and connection. Welcome to our world. Welcome to your world. Like you, we were born to explore it, to experience it with every bit of our souls.

And you can experience comfy-cute, too! Because I’m giving away a $100 gift certificate to TeaCollection.com

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Tea Collection provided us with a gift certificate to conduct this review. All opinions are my own.

Sticking with the practical theme of our Valentine’s Day cards this year, we decided to use a sand shovel to create our 4-year-old’s Valentine’s Day greetings.

Materials:

• Plastic shovels
• Valentine’s Day candy
• Cellophane gift bags
• Twist ties
• Ribbon
• Cardstock
• 4-inch circle punch
• Heart stamp
• Stamp pad or stamp marker
• Marker
• Scissors
• Hole punch

Directions:

1. Using the circle punch, punch a circle out of the cardstock paper.
2. Stamp a heart in the center of the circle.
3. Write: “Valentine, I dig you! [heart], your child’s name” around the stamped heart.
4. Punch a hole at the top of the circle, set aside.
5. Pour a handful of Valentine’s candy inside the shovel.
6. Gently place shovel (with the candy in it) inside the cellophane bag.
7. Using a twist tie, secure the bag around the handle of the shovel to close the bag.
8. Place one piece of ribbon under the shovel handle, below the twist tie.
9. Knot the ribbon over the twist tie to hide it.
10. String the stamped circle onto the ribbon.
11. Knot the ribbon then tie a bow.

Check out the LEGO Valentine’s Day cards we made for our older son.

This year I really wanted to create Valentine’s Day cards that were not only age appropriate for my kids (and their friends) but functional, too. For my 9-year-old son we decided to incorporate one of his favorite toys – LEGO. What 9-year-old child doesn’t adore LEGOs?

Using a play on words, we created a functional, easy-to-make, modern and simple looking Valentine’s Day card.

Materials:

• White cardstock paper
• Paper cutter
• 3-inch x 5-inch plastic bags (lollipop bags are the perfect size)
• Stapler
• Colored staples (optional)
• Letter stamps
• Stamp pad or stamp marker
• Corner cutter
• 9 red square LEGO pieces (2 rows of 2 pegs aka “2 block”)
• 3 red rectangle LEGO pieces (2 rows of 4 pegs aka “4 block”)

Directions:

1. Cut one piece of cardstock paper in fourths (one piece of cardstock paper makes 4 Valentine’s Day cards).
2. Round the corners of each card.
3. Stamp “Valentine,” at the top of each card.
4. Stamp “never LEGO my heart!” at the bottom of each card.
5. Create a LEGO heart (see below for detailed directions).
6. Place one LEGO heart in each plastic bag.
7. Fold the open end of each bag under, staple to the card.
8. Write child’s name of the back or the bottom of the card.

Tip: You can substitute the stamping with markers to make it easier.

LEGO heart visual directions:

Click to enlarge

Warning: This Valentine card is meant for older children because of the small LEGO pieces.

More Valentine’s Day ideas

If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day crafts and special stuff for you and your kids, check out these other articles I wrote.

Make your kids feel super special this Valentine’s Day
Fun kid’s crafts for Valentine’s Day on SheKnows.com
Valentine’s Day crafts for kids on SheKnows.com

This past weekend I asked my toddler to show me his different faces. A few faces in, I grabbed the camera.

For some reason (that totally makes sense to a 2-year-old), I would ask him to show me a silly face or surprised face or sad face and the word “face” triggered him to actually touch his face… which you can see above. You can also see that towards the end, his impatience took over and he decided he had had enough with the faces.

Try this at home with your kids! It’s fun, makes for a great photo montage (psst, Picnik is offering free premium services until they close down in April) and it’s interesting to see which emotions your child understands.

1. You leave a good book on your friend’s doorstep with a note letting them know that you are thinking of them.
2. You text your friend when she’s sick to see if she needs anything.
3. You insist on going for a walk to catch up and let your friend get things off her chest… And you actually listen.
4. You call just to say hello.
5. You make time in your busy schedule to meet your friend for lunch.
6. You bring your friend chocolate when she’s having a bad day.
7. You offer to watch your friend’s kids so she can go to the doctor (even though your own kids are driving you nuts).
8. You suggest that you and your friend plan a girl’s day or even better… a girl’s trip.
9. You don’t judge your friend by the situation she’s in, you embrace it and support her.
10. You laugh together — at each other and with each other.

I know this because I’ve experienced all these things and more in the past few weeks — from my amazing friends. They have also reminded me how important it is to do the same in return… no matter how crazy life gets.

Good friends are always learning from each other.

Have you called your friend today?

My 9-year-old had an “off” day yesterday. Off usually means he has put on his pre-teen face for me complete with sass, defiance, attitude and very little reasoning. Sigh.
After a long, productive talk, he finished up his homework then handed me this letter. It’s too cute not to share.

Dear mom,

I am very sorry for not paying attention at all to you today. This morning I did not help you with anything when I should of, and tonight I played with LEGO when I did not finish my homework.

The reason why I did not follow directions this morning was I was sleepy and very cranky, and tonight I did not want to finish my work and I was still cranky.

I am going to take deep breaths, say sorry, think before I do and help out but not in a bossy way. And guess what… tomorrow’s a new day. So I will try to help out.

Love your oldest loving son,

H.

P.s. I’m going to be a good boy.

We have a bizarre set-up in our house (you may or may not have read about this in previous frustrated ramblings with the layout of my house). Since I’ve changed things up (and by “things” I mean rooms), we now have a fireplace in our dining room. If I said dining room and meant a huge, formal, anti-kid dining room, a fireplace would be totally acceptable. In my house? It’s a little out of place. Just ask the fireplace lock that has been engaged for the past 4.5 years.

I’ve toyed with what to do with that space for the past three years – ultimately ending up buying time with a giant family canvas picture hanging above it. But since I’ve put the picture there (about 18 months ago), I’ve figured out that the space needs to be a family-friendly spot — something to represent who we are by proudly displaying the kid’s artwork and special memories.

I came up with what I though was a really good way to hang the kid’s drawings, but that was 8 months ago. Now I know that it wasn’t such a great idea or I would have acted on it.

Then something told me to go to Homegoods yesterday.

I came across a huge, framed corkboard for a very reasonable price. I measured the size, had someone take it to the front of the store for me and asked the checker if she could hold it, but she said no. Instead of rushing home to measure and rushing back hoping it was still there (all with a toddler in tow), I bought it and hoped for the best.

Oh… and it’s the best.

My new art board fits perfectly above our dining room fireplace, compliments our décor and I’ve already begun playing around with it while decorating it for Valentine’s Day.

I now have a place to display school artwork, 100 percent spelling tests, birthday cards, holiday decorations… the list goes on and on! I’m already scheming up what I can do with it for 4^th of July, themed birthday parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Fairly recently I realized that my son’s life (and my life) has been slowly turning upside down over the past 3+ years. I don’t think I was fully capable of realizing this until I was ready to hear the truth… and seek professional help from a trustworthy source that saw the bigger picture. (Yes, that was hard to say). I was finally ready to hear it, I heard it and now, after yet another productive conversation, I can’t seem make things happen fast enough.

I spent a good deal of my evening on the phone with a complete stranger. Except she isn’t really a stranger, she’s also a mother — a mother of a child who needed guidance and help in order to fit into his everyday life and with everyday activities that we often take for granted. Her son had sensory integration issues from a very early age, even earlier than my little guy. And while I’ve never met, seen or spoken to this woman before tonight, I felt completely comfortable telling her some of our deepest, darkest, happiest and saddest moments that we have been through in the past few years and the ones we are currently going through. We didn’t have to know each other, we could simply relate to each other and that’s all that mattered.

The relief I feel tonight after one phone call is astonishing. This mom brought up some extremely helpful way on how to advocate for my child — things I know I would have eventually gotten to in my own time but sometimes it just takes spewing your thoughts to someone that will listen (and to someone that can relate) to get you to motivated enough to push ahead. Sometimes you need to get out of your own head for a minute.

Finding someone you can relate to and openly talk to about what you are going through, no matter how large or small on the scale the issue may be, is one of the best things you can do for yourself as a mother. And from what I’m finding out, there are more people willing to help than you can begin to imagine.

I’m the first to admit that I’m a mix between a Helicopter parent and a let-your-child-explore parent. Really… it’s a mix or a struggle between some lingering anxiety and having a teaching background.

I repeatedly tell my husband that our toddler is not trustworthy. And only because he’s just that… a toddler — with two older brothers.

I’ve never had to baby proof my house to the extent that I’ve had to in the past two years. It’s like this kid sniffs out danger and puts himself in harms way whenever possible. He is totally a thrill-seeker. Or is trying to fit in with his older brothers. Or he’s out to give me a heart attack. Although, it’s likely all of the above.

Sunday was an extremely lazy day in our house. It was wet outside from raining the day before, half the family was sick with God only know what and I was relishing in the opportunity to get a little work done.

Or so I thought.

Along with being a little daredevil, my child likes to be in the most natural state possible. Which is usually a typical toddler trait.
While I was sitting on the couch, he ran into the other room and quickly shimmied his way out of his zip-up PJ’s – without unzipping them. This happened twice and each time I put his PJ’s back on. (Yeah, I know.)
I then went to the kitchen to clean up the mess from lunch.
Once I finished, I checked my computer then caught something out of the corner of my eye. Like a flash of bright white streaming across the sky.
My toddler not only took his PJ’s off… he took his diaper off, too.

I laughed while yelling to my husband — who was upstairs playing LEGOs with the two older boys. He ran downstairs (with his camera) and we followed our naked little devil into the playroom. Then it hit me. Poop. I smelled poop!

The anxiety kicked in and I sniffed out the missing diaper like a crazy hound dog.

I finally found it. In a backpack, hanging on the door.

My husband took the culprit upstairs for a bath while I disinfected the entire downstairs.

The worst part of it all? I found a straggler — a little turd – yesterday. I had poop nightmares all night last night.

I have a picky eater. Oh… do I have a picky eater.

Not only do I have a picky eater, I have a toddler (aka a little walking and talking sponge) who is mimicking his older brother’s picky ways… and it’s driving me a little batty.

I’m learning more and more everyday thanks to the guidance of a nutritionist and through research for a weekly series that I’m writing on the SheKnows ChefMom site about — you guessed it – picky eaters.

Picky eaters: Are you concerned about your child’s intake?

Picky eaters: Mixing foods to get the right nutrients in your child

And because it’s a New Year and with that comes promise, hope and goals for health and fitness for parents, here are some healthy alternatives for your everyday foods.

Just one of his faces

Laughter really is the best medicine in this house. My day can start off much like waking up on the wrong side of the bed (today) and turn out to be something so much more just by laughing at my kids.

Yes, I laugh at my kids. Often.

They are so sweet and so cute and seem to think they are pretty funny so… it really ends up being all of us laughing together. Which makes everyone laugh even harder. Then, the baby puts on his little act and the tears start rolling — from laughing. Sometimes the 4-year-old gets a little crazy and messes up the mood by throwing his body into whoever is closest (resulting in a bad kind of cry) but that doesn’t happen much anymore. Thankfully.

Balancing work with the kids has also proven to be something to laugh about – and not a good laugh. But throw in some sick kids and suddenly the balance shifts to mostly kids. I’m not happy that half my kids are sick (one is sick and one is half sick… or has allergies. The verdict is still out), but I am thankful that the situation today has allowed me to be in those moments — the ones that make me laugh. The ones that make me a little saner.

For example… While driving away from the school after dropping off the 4-year-old, my 9-year-old longingly gazed out his window at the kids playing on the grass. Then this happened.

Him: “I wish I wasn’t sick today.”
Me: “I know, bud. You want to be at school, huh?”
Him: “Yeah…”
Me (trying to slide in the importance of eating healthy): “That’s why we need to take care of our bodies, eat right and get good sleep.”
Him (He tuned me out by the time I said the word need): “I hope I’m better by Friday.” (There’s a school event on Friday).
Me: “Well, let’s rest and get better and hopefully you will be.”
Him: “Yes… I know. I need to get wealthy.”
Me (after laughing so hard that I had to pull the car over): “You mean healthy, right?”

Later while at home, my toddler decided to turn the Disney Junior songs (the ones between Little Einsteins and Jake and the Neverland Pirates) into rap songs by adding a “Yeahhhhh.” after each verse. And in the deepest possible tone he could muster. He eats it up, too. Laughter to this child is like batteries to Tickle Me Elmo. (And we might need to lay off the Gym Class Heroes – Stereo Hearts song a little bit).

Seriously though, if it weren’t for these goofballs (and my mom showing up mid-day with a giant chocolate cupcake), I think I would have gone a little insane today.

How was your day?

With the end of 2011 just days away, I’ve spent a lot of time this week reflecting on the best (and worst) of this passing year.

I’ve learned a lot from 2011… Some of which I wrote about here, some I didn’t. All of it continues to make me strive to be a better person, mother and friend.

One thing that is the same… I’m still not Supermom. I do what I can, when I can and I’m okay with that… now. My children come first and they always will. But with saying that, I do sometimes consider myself my own version of Supermom — just one that doesn’t parallel any other definition of the word.

My year in review…

We finally got some answers to some delicate questions this year. We’re starting to make progress (very slow progress) in getting our second son the care that he needs and deserves. I’m still learning little things each day about his Sensory Processing Disorder and to be honest, it’s overwhelming.

Things started falling into place when I was introduced to the world of freelance writing. I started writing for SheKnows Parenting, Pregnancy and Baby, Home and Living and even the Food channel. I’ve since become a Daily Blogger at SheKnows Pregnancy and Baby and I love it. I’ve found a new love for my writing and while it keeps me insanely busy, I’m so grateful. After all, I love being busy.

Another thing I’m extremely grateful for is the opportunities I’ve had to meet amazing people while supporting companies and campaigns that I believe so strongly in. The Red CARpet event with Britax and SafeKids is one of them. There are more exciting things to come… Mommy Fitness Tips is just one of them.

I learned how to make iMovies! I’ve always wanted to learn but have had no one to teach me. So one day, I sat and taught myself. I then went on to make a video for Yummie Tummie highlighting the best moments from BlogHer 2011. As for BlogHer, I loved meeting new people, experiencing new things and getting some girl time with another dear friend, but I won’t be going again next year.

We moved our two youngest into the same room. After months of hesitation, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made.

I made a ribbon wreath for Halloween and lived to write a tutorial about it. It felt really good to get my craft on again.

I made more time for friends and made more time for myself. This is something I’ve struggled with in the past.

I also opened up about my reoccurring postpartum anxiety for the first time.

I said goodbye to my beloved Sharpie. Yes, this was a big deal.

Despite knowing it was going to be a bad day, I tried anyway. I cried, got embarrassed and sweat like I had just ran a marathon, but now I laugh and revel that it’s in the past.

Tampons make great parachutes for little Army men.

I turned 30. Call it irony, call it maturing… Things have become so much clearer since I’ve turned 30.

I finally found a way to document each year! That reminds me, I need to make our 2011 book.

What are your memories from 2011?

Okay, not really… We’re not that vain.

But this year, we’re changing things up a little when it comes to the gifts under the Christmas tree. Last year was a bit excessive, and while that is hard for me to say (because I love giving gifts), it was evident about 10 minutes after all the gifts were opened. As expected, the boys flocked to their favorite toys and the rest became background noise… and mess.

Santa gifts

Santa is now responsible for the stocking gifts. He may chose to wrap them all or just a few… but he gets the stocking this year. He also gets the one unwrapped present (aka the “Kodak moment present”) that sits by the tree on Christmas morning.

By doing it this way, I no longer have to stress about comments like, “Hey mom! Santa’s handwriting sure looks like yours!” or “How did Santa get the wrapping paper that was under your bed?”

My kids are getting way too smart and I’m running out of hiding spots.

Mom and dad gifts

All the wrapped gifts that will be under the tree are from my husband and me. Last Christmas was the first year that our oldest (at age eight) got so caught up in the chaos that he didn’t read who the gifts were from — I’m part to blame because of the excessive amount of gifts. When he was asked what Santa got him, he had no clue. And it broke my heart. That’s when I knew that it was just “stuff” and the true meaning was lost.

Another change this year? The kids are each getting five gifts from us. This way, they have the same amount to open and the gifts are all things that they really want… not just fillers.

I want Christmas morning to be a memory, and one that lasts.

I also want Christmas to be more about giving, thoughtfulness and love.

I’m a planner by nature but sometimes life (and 3 kids) gets in the way. For example, I found myself out shopping with the rest of the world 5 days before Christmas, which has never happened in the past. While out shopping, I found myself at a loss. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration to find the perfect gift… Here are a few of my favorites for this holiday season.

GIFTS FOR MOM

• After a few stressful weeks, all I really want is another facial from NuboNau. Last month I had the opportunity to experience the new Pai facial in the somewhat-new Facial Room at NuboNau. I now find myself dreaming of it multiples times a day. These dreams are occurring more and more as the holidays get closer — hard to imagine, right? If you’re not in San Diego, you can purchase the amazing organic Pai products (which are perfect for sensitive skin) on NuboNao.com

• These Kate Spade New York ‘all wrapped up’ earrings ($58) are amazing. Talk about a gift to make mom feel pretty and special! And something at Kate Spade that costs less than $200? Score!

• A highly practical (and absolutely stunning) gift for mom this year is the Michael Kors Essential Zip Wallet. In fact, this might be my not so subtle hint to my husband that this mama wants one. Isn’t it amazing?!

For those of you in San Diego, make sure you visit NuboNau Encinitas, any of the Apple store locations and Kate Spade Fashion Valley to find the these perfect gifts for mom.

GIFTS FOR DAD

• The Twelve South BookBook Case for the iPhone4 is the two-in-one must-have accessory for dads this year. It protects your iPhone4 in style and allows you to carry everything in one spot. This just might be the first multi-tasking accessory that I have seen (and like) for men!

• Apple TV had my vote at “Watch MLB or NBA games — live or on demand.” Do I need to say more?

• With impressive audio and real-time processing, the iHome iD3 Premium Bongiovi Acoustic DPS Stereo Speakers play music and movies from an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. The speaker system comes with a fully functioning remote control and charges your device while in use.

Order these great gifts for dads online and pick them up at your nearest Apple store.

GIFTS FOR KIDS

• The PlasmaCar is the only ride-on toy that all three of my boys fight over. They love that with a quick back and forth motion of the steering wheel, they go… and they go all right! My 2-year-old has figured it out and I don’t mind that he rides it (with a helmet of course) because it only goes as fast as you make it go. It runs on kid power, which is the best kind of power.

• Engage your child’s mind with the Extreme Stunt Wall Coaster. Any budding engineer or creative mind will enjoy setting up the 16 feet of tracks in imaginable variations. Then watch as the marbles twist, turn and make their way through the roller coaster track.

• The All Seasons Doll House is a great play piece to encourage your child’s imagination. The modern and open floor plan allows children to manipulate and decorate as they please and the roof changes with the seasons outside.

For those of you in San Diego, make sure you stop by one of the Geppetto’s locations to find the PlasmaCar and All Seasons Doll House.

GIFTS FOR BABY

• The Animal Hoodie Blanket from Jenna Lee Baby is simply to-die-for. These blankets can be used from birth and make a great lovie (and play accessory) for your growing child.

• Manny and Simon has adorable clothing and toys that make amazing gifts. I’m a little nuts for their push toys and their newest addition, the Train.

• My son went bananas when he saw the JellyCat Scruff Pup. This fun, loveable little guy is not like every other stuffed animal and that’s why I like it so much.

For those of you in San Diego, make sure you stop by Ollie and Me in Carlsbad to pick up these baby gifts and check out what else they have to offer. Ollie and Me will be open every day leading up to Christmas. Check the Ollie and Me Facebook page for holiday hours and location.

Does this look familiar?

Prepping gifts for a toddler

My kids (like most kids) have no patience in the midst of all the holiday excitement, and want to play with their new toys immediately. Stressful Christmas mornings are now a thing of the past!

I also put aside all manuals (they normally get lost in the shuffle anyway) and wash all clothing before wrapping. My kids get excited about certain articles of clothing (Thomas, Buzz, etc.) and demand that they wear them right away. Washing clothes before wrapping has also cut down on the amount of Christmas day laundry… Which used to be out of control.

What kind of things do you do to make your holidays easier and more relaxing? 

Do you hear the crickets chirping? I do. It’s kind of a ghost town around here!

First, I’m sorry. Second, Let me tell you why.

(This is the excuse part)

One of my kids turned four a few weeks ago and another turned two a few days ago. Read all about my labor and natural childbirth experience at my Pregnancy and Baby Blog. I wrote about it because I was all kinds of emotional this past week.

Aside of family celebrations — both birthday and holidays — I’m mending sick kids, budgeting and buying holiday gifts for everyone and their mother, reworking school and childcare schedules and getting activities ready for a long winter break.

Oh, and I planned a much-needed girls trip to San Francisco in the middle of all the madness. As much as I enjoyed it, I won’t be traveling in December ever again.

It was pretty, crowded and cold!

(This is the legit part)

I’m now freelancing at a little big place called SheKnows.

You might have heard of it.

You want to hear a funny story? No? Well, I’ll tell you anyway.

I joined an online community with other women when I was pregnant with my first son. Groups were formed by due dates and we shared everything from what we ate (cake) to… other “personal” stories and experiences (I can’t believe I posted those for all to see… actually, I can). I was also part of a panel that was published in one of the ePregnancy magazines, which talked about, wait for it… natural childbirth options and choices. I was the uneducated mom-to-be that basically said, “What is a birthing tub?” Good times.

Onward…

The co-founders of the site I now work for (SheKnows) created the site I joined 10+ years ago. How crazy is that? Talk about full circle. Well, I guess I’d have to co-own a part of the site for it to be full circle but you get my drift.

If you want to see where I’m hanging out*, feel free to click the links below.

• SheKnows
• SheKnows Pregnancy and Baby Blog

And don’t forget about Momtastic and Baby Gizmo!

*I promise I’m not deserting you here and just know that I have a plan — mostly thanks to the awesome SITSgirls Blog Critique that was recently done for me.

A good way to read all my stuff is to like my Facebook page — Mommy Loves Coffee because I update that often.

Kiss, kiss, hug, hug and clink those coffee mugs!

There’s something about the cool, crisp air, the music, the act of giving, the smell of my husband’s hot chocolate and the look on my children’s faces that send me into a glittery tailspin.

(Yes it’s cool and crisp in Southern California… at night or early in the morning).

I use any excuse I can to milk it and I milk it pretty good.

Today, for example, I don’t think I took my robe off the entire time I was at home. I poured an extra cup off coffee this morning (like I need an excuse) and dropped a few marshmallows in it for good measure. Seeing that the holidays are the only time we seem to have marshmallows in this house, I consider it a rare delicacy. Tomorrow it’s caramel sauce.

I found myself drifting off into the magic of the movie, Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas. The movie that was babysitting my children so I could try to get some work done.

I squee’d when the box containing one of my husband’s Christmas gifts arrived. I just hope I can get it wrapped, keep it wrapped and resist the temptation to give it to him early.

(I’m SO bad with surprises. I mean, not bad. I just get eager to give someone a gift when I know they will simply adore it).

I spend my nights after the kids go to bed scheming up new places to put Nicky, our Elf on the Shelf, and fall into complete and utter mommy guilt when I forget to move the dang thing. I also light up like a Christmas tree when my 4-year-old finds our elf in the morning and yells, “Hi, Mickey!” (I don’t have the heart to correct him).

I put way too much time and effort into writing three different scripts on Portable North Pole. And then I do a handwritten note from Santa to all three kids — each letter must start and end with a curly cue. It’s kind of a sickness.

I spend way too much money on presents because I can’t resist a sale the thought of the perfect gift. Plus, my kids are totally worth it.

Please excuse me while I curl up in my dirty robe next to our fake, undecorated and leaning Christmas tree.

The Woobee Pouch is the must-have accessory for winter! We love Rain or Shine Kids (RoSK) products so it’s no surprise that we can’t get enough of the newest member of the RoSK family — the Woobee Pouch.

Like its cousin — the All-Weather Woobee — the Woobee Pouch is designed to provide comfort, protection from the elements and warmth in cold weather conditions but the Pouch has built-in elastic along the lower hem. The elastic hem gives the Pouch its shape and allows it to hug either the sides of a car seat, stroller or baby carrier or fit perfectly around your baby’s legs.

Just like all the other RoSK products, the Woobee Pouch has ties on both sides, which securely attach to the side of a baby carrier, infant car seat or stroller frame.

WHAT’S NEW AND DIFFERENT ABOUT THE ROSK WOOBEE POUCH

Elastic hem

I love the elastic hem on the Woobee Pouch — especially when we use it with a carrier. The elastic hem keeps the Woobee Pouch in place, which in turn, keeps my toddler warm (and keeps him from kicking it all over the place).

Please excuse the self-portrait picture

Pocket

Unlike the All-Weather Woobee Blanket, the Woobee Pouch has a front kangaroo-style pocket! This is a great new feature because while the pouch – and my baby – keeps me warm, my hand never get any love… until now. The inside of the pocket is the same waterproof material as the exterior of the pouch and it works great for my keys, phone and misc. small items that I carry on a daily basis. I do wish the pocket had a zipper closure on both sides (and maybe even a plush lining) so here’s to hoping RoSK comes out with a Woobee Pouch v2.

Tip: The pockets also work great for small toy and snack storage while on the go!

Adjustability

RoSK Pouch on the Summer Infant Prodigy

The Woobee Pouch has two little straps on each side, just inside the lower part of the cover. These straps – when attached to the straps located near the pocket openings – adjust the entire pouch, making it smaller in size. This is a great feature for smaller babies in carriers, different sized strollers and for car seats. When I tested the Pouch with my toddler, we left the straps undone as he is taller and needed the legroom but when I tested it on a 4-month-old, I was able to customize the fit by snapping the straps together.

RoSK Pouch on a Valco TriMode

Details

The RoSK Woobee Pouch retails for $68
Ages: Newborn thru age 2
Size: 28″ by 36″
Works with: Strollers, carriers and car seats

About Rain or Shine Kids

RoSK is a premium brand of weatherproof children’s products that strives to provide parents with the freedom and confidence to be active with their children while maintaining their personal sense of style.

Visit RainOrShineKids.com to learn more or to purchase the Woobee Pouch.