My Constant Chaos

We're moving! I think...

2013-05-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

We have lived in Ladera Ranch since 2007. We bought our townhouse at the peak of the market, which basically means that we overpaid. We have been waiting for the 'right time' to sell our home, when we could make all of our investment back- and it seemed that it may never come. Well, for whatever reason, January 2013 the Orange County housing market exploded. The prices have skyrocketed, and the supply is very low- so people are paying a lot for homes. That meant that we could put our home on the market, and see what happened. Well, April 17th we listed our home- and within 30 minutes someone had called to request a showing. The following week was very CHAOTIC, and I was trying to schedule showings around my children and my dogs. It was difficult, and 'clean' was difficult to maintain in our home.

The entire first week involved last minute scrambling, "OK, put the dogs in the garage, make sure they have water, turn the fan on, and head to the park" all while I'm at work about an hour away. I suppose this would have been one instance that a traditional day care situation would have been helpful! Still, I would have had 'the girls' to work around. I got one phone call from a realtor, "I let your dogs out of the garage, and they won't go back in- what should I do? Are they friendly? The little one is growling at me!" Yes, a grown man was afraid of my 14 lb dachshund...

One quick side story, on Tuesday after work- a gentleman pulled up to our house, and asked if it was for sale. "I have cash," he said. "I can pay ALL cash!" It seemed our house was in high demand. So, we received 4 (legitimate) offers after that week. I thought to myself, well at least that was quick! We were in escrow with an all cash buyer, and things were looking great. Then, one by one, we went through each of our 4 offers. We went into escrow, and fell out. 4 times. It was a rollercoaster!

So, here we are on May 14- nearly a month after we listed our home. We have two full price offers, with conventional loans. We have signed an offer, and a backup offer- and we have our fingers and toes crossed that one of these two will work out! The offer we signed had a 15 day escrow, which would put us at about Memorial Day weekend to move out. Next step, to find a new house! I know it will all be worth it- but... this process is painful.

Have you moved with your family? Was your process agonizing?

From Honolulu to Home: a DIY Honey and Yogurt Face Mask

2013-04-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

After I posted about our family trip to Maui, I was contacted by Kendra Thornton, former Director of Communications for Orbitz. I am honored to present the following guest post!

Spring.

Something about the arrival of thaw and promise of warmer weather just seems to put us back in touch with nature and makes us want to relax. As a mom, I know I could use a nice little treat after dealing with kiddos with cabin fever all winter! However, I've recently found myself asking why we only let ourselves relax and refresh a few times a year. Being a mom is a full-time job; why not take a break a little more often?

The thought of relaxation brings me back to a particularly enjoyable stay in Honolulu at Kahala's Hotel Resort and Spa, which rates as one of the top hotels in Honolulu. From the time spent on the beach to the beautiful sunset at dinner, the Kahala stands in my mind as one of my most serene memories.

But by far the most relaxing and refreshing part of my trip was when the Kahala Spa staff introduced me to their moisturizing facial, which left my skin feeling like new. When I returned to Chicago, I knew I had found what a beauty remedy that would be a staple in my household.... and all without leaving the comfort of my own home!

The honey and yogurt face mask can be made right from your kitchen and will leave your skin smooth and revitalized.

To recreate serenity in your very own home, you'll need:

Honey and Yogurt Face Mask
-1/2 cup plain yogurt
-2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
-1 tablespoon honey
-1/2 peeled cucumber
-A few drops of chamomile oil

I recommend grating the cucumber to release the juices and help it blend. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl with a rubber spatula. If your daily beauty regimen tends to be a little harsh on your skin, the honey and yogurt will help moisturize while the aloe releases its healing powers.

Apply the mixture evenly, avoiding the eyes and nostrils. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

As mothers we can’t always be on the beach or at the spa; but with this DIY beauty mask your skin can still feel repaired and rejuvenated.

Enjoy!

Spring Break in Maui - Part 1

2013-04-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

When we decided to take a trip to Maui for Spring Break 2013, I must admit that I had mixed feelings about it. I wanted to go, of course! But I wasn't sure how the trip would go with our two youngest travelers, ages 2 and 4. Yes, we had travelled together before. We visit the family in New Jersey each year, but we do not stay in a hotel. We stay at my parents' house. All of us, in one hotel room, well that hasn't historically gone very well. Usually, Mayhem keeps us up. The last time we all slept in one room was MLK Day, this year. And I was up. all. night. So here is a summary of our family vacation, and hopefully some useful tips.

Day 1: The flight from LAX to Kahului. We woke up at 5:30 am and loaded our group into the car. They were both excited and eager to climb in. We got through security rather quickly, and grabbed some food for the plane.

Traveling Tip #1: If you are renting a car, and your child is old enough for a booster seat- the rental car agency MUST provide you with one. Don't waste your energy dragging a booster seat around the airport!

Traveling Tip #2: Make sure you have something for your child's ears on the plane. The pressure during takeoff and landing can be very painful. For us, lollipops are great and 'gummy' goodies work well too.

Traveling Tip #3: Before you leave, stock up on 'new things' like coloring books, stickers, and flash cards. Pack them a backpack, with their 'new things' for the plane and don't let them open it until they get on the plane. Hype it up, make it like Christmas for them. I usually try to include a 'prize', which is an inexpensive Lego set for Little J or dinosaur figurines. For some reason, they are very exciting?

When we arrived at the hotel, we asked for a crib for Mayhem (I had called ahead to make sure this was an option). We got there around dinner time, so we ordered room service and relaxed in the room for the evening.

Day 2: We got up early, and scoped out the kids pool area. The pool had a waterfall, was only about a foot deep and there was also an adjacent playground! Oh, and the view from the kids pool? The ocean. Can't beat that! We laid our towels out after breakfast, and then headed back to the room to get ready. We ended up back in the room pretty early for a nap, since this trip involved a three hour time change.

For dinner, we went to La Haina and had dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise. We really enjoyed this, and we had an ocean view. Live music and great atmosphere, what more could you want on vacation!

Traveling Tip #5: Don't 'over plan' the trip with young children. Be flexible, and have backup options!

Day 3: We wanted to get off the hotel property for a bit, so we talked to the hotel concierge and decided to try to find 'the blowhole'. It was not particularly easy to find, and when we got there we realized it was not a hike fit for a 2 year old. Mayhem had to stay behind with Grandma and Grandpa while Little J, Daddy and I hiked down the mountain in search of 'the blowhole'.

After some more pool time, my husband and I got a chance to leave the boys with Grandma and Grandpa to go exploring on our own. We opted to head back into La Haina for some people-watching. We had a great time, visiting the local craft fair and grabbing a drink at Captain Jack's.

So far, so good! More on the trip soon!

One of those days...

2013-04-09T03:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days... One of those days where I found out, after being at work all day- that I still had the tag on my new blouse. One of those days where I had so much to do that I couldn't get out of work on time. One of those days where when I got home, the work was just beginning. One of those days where Little J cried over everything, and I wanted to. Here's to today, and hoping it's one of those days that's a little better than yesterday.

Klout Perk - Earth's Best

2013-04-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

I recently received an Earth's Best Klout Perk- and Mayhem immediately sucked down the Organic Fruit Yogurt Smoothie. Thank you very much. :) If you haven't checked out Klout.com, it is a website that provides free 'perks' depending on how much 'klout' you have. If you check in periodically, you can find fun freebies like this one!

The Mixed Berry smoothie had Grover's face on it, and the Klout perk was themed for Elmo's birthday.

Earth's Best also provided a coupon for a free jar of baby food, which I will be sharing with a friend. Thank you, Earth's Best and Klout!

I'm here! But I'm leaving...

2013-03-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry that I have been MIA during this past month! It's been extremely busy. I just wanted to check in with you all. On St. Patrick's Day, I turned the ripe old age of 31. I celebrated with a lovely lunch in Laguna Beach. Friends and family came to celebrate with me, and how can you complain when you are sitting on the beach in SoCal?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Little J and his girlfriend[/caption]

I decided that I was going to parent MY WAY. Which apparently involves letting my two-year -old boss me around sometimes. Mayhem has found his voice, and is now using to tell everyone around him what to do... and how to do it. He's such a joy, and his bedtime routine has been evolving. He now DEMANDS at least two books, and on one night last month- he made me read them to him IN the crib. He was sick, what was I supposed to do - say no?

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="650"] That's me, in Mayhem's crib. Because he said so.[/caption]

My family contemplated the meaning of life...We're making a concerted effort to be healthier as a family. This will involve family walks, rather than me just walking our dogs. The boys love it, and I love being outside.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="650"] My little family. I'm so lucky. Don't mind the dogs rear ends under the bench...[/caption]

And we spent time enjoying the beautiful southern California weather at the park.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="650"] My little men, headed to the park. Off to our next adventure![/caption]

And now, we're off to Maui for about a week. I'll be back with stories and photos in April. How is this year going so quickly?!?!

Minute® Rice Chicken Fried Rice

2013-03-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

Minute® Rice Chicken Fried Rice, a quick and healthy meal for busy mommas. I started by using Brown Minute® Rice. This entire meal takes about 15 minutes, so it's great when you get home from work- and you need to get dinner on the table fast!

The ingredients that you will need are:

2 cups cooked Minute® Rice, cold (it's important that it's cold!)

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1
onion, chopped

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup cooked, chopped chicken meat

You can vary this as you like, I sometimes include green onions, mushrooms, or edamame if I have them.

Directions

In a small bowl, beat egg with water. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add egg and leave flat for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and cut into shreds.

Heat oil in same skillet; add onion and saute until soft. Then add Minute® Rice, soy sauce, pepper and chicken. Stir fry together for about 5 minutes, then stir in egg. Serve hot.

Both of my kids loved this recipe! I love that it's quick, easy and tasty. Mayhem (top left picture) helped me with the taste test. And Little J (bottom left picture) enjoyed his dinner! Minute® Rice makes this meal so easy!

Minute® Rice is so quick and easy to prepare and is great pantry staple. When meal time seems like a hassle, Minute® Rice is a go-to ingredient your whole family will love and allows you to have more quality time doing what your want with your loved ones. Leftover rotisserie chicken or veggies from a meal earlier in the week? Minute® Rice can easily be paired with some of your leftover ingredients to make a quick, easy and wholesome meal your whole family will love in just a matter of minutes.

Visit http://www.minuterice.com/ to create a great main meal or side dish for your next family get-together or potluck. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Rice.

Please, don't helicopter my child.

2013-02-26T05:17:00.000-08:00

Mom and Boy - speaking my thoughts! Enjoy.

2 Quick 'Mom Beauty Tips'

2013-02-26T00:57:00.000-08:00

Let me just preface this post by saying that I do not consider myself an expert on 'beauty' tips. However, I happen to be related to someone who has been trying to help me along the path to looking and feeling better for... well, my whole life. My sister read my New Year's Resolutions, and pointed me towards two great products that I wanted to share with you.

DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil is what I now use before I go to bed. The main ingredient in this product is olive oil, which sounded strange to me. But it feels like a mini spa treatment! It removes your makeup, including eye makeup and prevents breakouts. I love that it is a natural, deep cleaning product.

Benefit Erase Paste is the concealer that I had been searching for, to hide the bags under my eyes. My skin is very fair, so I feel that my exhaustion shows up easily. What makes this concealer stand out is that it is a creamy, blendable product. It's not a stick, or a hard compact which are the types of products that I had previously been using. It's easy to use, and comes with instructions on how to hide different things, including under eye circles. I highly recommend it!

The last thing my sister recommended was for me to find a great mascara that I love, and make sure I put it on EVERY Day. I know, it should go without saying. If you were going to leave the house in 5 minutes, make sure you throw on your mascara!

What beauty tips would you give your fellow mamas? (Note: Keep it civil, ladies!)

Mickey Mouse Birthday Party

2013-02-11T05:33:00.000-08:00

Saturday was Mayhem's 2nd birthday. We celebrated with a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party, and it was a success! I wanted to share what we accomplished, so you could easily do this too!

First, I knew there we some things that I would want to order online- so I started there. I ordered the invitations from Crafts by Jillian, which I am in love with!

I ordered this adorable shirt from Little Petunia on Etsy. She makes really great quality items for kids. She customized the shirt for Mayhem, and the shirt was super soft and thick.

I also ordered the Mickey Mouse plushies during the Disney store's 2 for 1 sale. $7 each. Next, I ordered the bounce house to entertain the kids. I found one with Mickey ears!

Then, I tackled the paper goods. Target had pretty much everything I needed there- red table cloth, red and black paper plates, black and white polka dot napkins, yellow plastic utensils, and red Solo cups. I was keeping it simple!

We all had a great time, which is what matters most. And the kids loved the Mickey Mouse theme. I have seen other Mickey parties with 'hot diggity dogs', which is so cute! We just did pizza for our lunch, and served cut up strawberries and popcorn as snacks for the kids. I put ears on the kids table for each kid, and they were all running around with them on. Of course, some of the moms had them on too!

The goody bags each had one of the plush Mickey Mouse dolls, a couple bags of M&Ms, Mickey Mouse bubbles, and individual packs of goldfish. The were in 99 cent red buckets from our local party store, and we used FREE Mickey Mouse printables to decorate both the buckets and the water bottles that we put on the kids table.What other ideas do you have for a Mickey Mouse birthday party?

January Bluum Toddler Box

2013-02-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well, it finally arrived. The new and improved Bluum toddler box, and it's wonderful! The items are selected to fit my son's exact age. It's not just for babies anymore!

Toddler Mum Mums This snack is healthy, organic, and crunchy! Mayhem loves rice cakes, so I'm hoping that he likes these too. This box included a box of 24 snacks.

Brain Quest for ages 2-3. This is an activity that encourages interaction between you and your child, and it's great for working on speech. I also love that the flash cards are bound together, so I'm not playing 52 card pickup after using them!

Crayola Snack Packer. This isn't very useful for Mayhem, but luckily I have Little J who can definitely use one of these! I suppose we could use it for crayons in the diaper bag, as well.

Table manners cards. I think that these are great to focus on while you have dinner as a family. It's a non-nagging way to remind children of proper table manners.

Stretch marks cream While I cannot vouch for this product (yet), I appreciate that Bluum still threw something in for Mom!

Little Pim Learn French DVD I love this idea! I'm so glad this was included, as I have been wanting to try something like this with both boys- and now I can give Little Pim a try. It comes very highly recommended.

Totz Toothbrush With all the illness we have had going around this household, I'm happy to toss Mayhem's previous toothbrush and use this one. It is BPA free, and the bristles are 100% vegetable based.

Melissa and Doug puzzle Mayhem is currently very into puzzles, so I'm happy to see a new one for him to master. This particular puzzle is wonderful because there are pictures underneath the numbers, so he can count and name the pictures.

You can see the effort that has gone into this new toddler box. Bluum has outdone themselves, selecting age-appropriate items that cater to individual needs. I think the Bluum Mamas are going to be very happy!

Quick and Healthy Snacks for Preschoolers

2013-02-04T05:44:00.000-08:00

Little J is somewhat of a challenge when it comes to eating 'meals'. He is not very interested in eating, sometimes I wonder if he would eat at all if not for me! This post is as much for me, as for you. I've gathered a few snack ideas that are quick and easy. Yogurt and applesauce are my old standbys, but he's been refusing me by saying, "I had that already." So I've attempted to mix it up a bit.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="265"] image source: www.wizardrecipes.com[/caption]

1. English muffin pizza. We used to make these as kids, and I still love them. J seems more interested in eating things that he can help me make. So I'm hopefully on this one! If all else fails, Mayhem would be happy to help me make and eat these. I use whole wheat English Muffins, marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella.

2. Frozen fruit bars. The fact that liquids freeze in the freezer makes this treat fascinating to the boys. Mix up the 100% juice and some fruit, toss it in the freezer. The next day, wow! homemade frozen fruit bars.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="182"] image source: www.wisegeek.com[/caption]

3. Smoothies. We use ice, milk, yogurt and fruit. Blenders are loud, and boys LOVE loud!

4. Whole grain waffles. Peanut butter is the favorite topping at our house.

5. Dips. Mayhem loves to dip. Rather than ranch dressing, I'm trying to steer him towards hummus and veggies. J prefers strawberries with yogurt dip.

And, in the 'candy jar' I'm using raw almonds. This goes without saying, but be sure your little ones can handle an almond before you allow this. But I'm happy to have us all eating those instead of M&Ms! What healthy snacks do you serve at your house?

The Honest Company - Family Essentials Box Review

2013-01-28T23:46:00.000-08:00

I ordered a free trial from The Honest Company, just because I was curious to see what Jessica Alba's company was all about. The website tells their story well- the company was founded by parents who wanted eco-friendly, safe, and affordable products for their family. The products are non-toxic and beautifully packaged.

There are two options for a free trial: the Diapers Bundle or the Family Essentials Pack. I selected the Family Essentials Pack, and the included items are: shampoo, lotion, hand soap, laundry detergent, and body balm. The package arrived quickly, and the products inside were:

1. Shampoo: The first thing I did with this product was smell it. It smells like an Orange Julius, but very fresh and clean. It is supposedly tear-free, so I'll definitely try this on my boys. It is also plant based, organic, and uses essential oils and fruit extracts.

2. Lotion: This lotion was great. It has no scent to it, and it's not greasy. Organic, hypoallergenic and non-toxic. This is great for sensitive skin that may react to anything unnatural.

3. Hand soap: This product is biodegradable, all natural and made with organic lemongrass oil and grapeseed botanical extracts. This will be great to bring on our family camping trips!

4. Laundry detergent: This is a winner. You can use it on all of your laundry, including hand wash items. It is also biodegradable and hypoallergenic. I would like to see if using this regularly clears up one of our family member's skin issues...

5. Balm: This can be used as a diaper rash cream, or Dad's razor burns- according to The Honest Company. It contains organic essential oils and olive oil. This seems like a versatile item to keep in a family household, and I used it on my dry elbows- worked great!

As I mentioned above, I was happy with the products. The reason that I didn't sign up was the cost. I am already splurging on the Bluum monthly subscription box. A membership to The Honest Company Essentials Bundle costs $35.95/month. You can add up to 3 additional products each month at a 25% discount, and no additional shipping charge. For the other items available in this monthly bundle, options include: sunscreen, dish detergent, hand sanitizer, bubble bath, multi-surface cleaner, and stain remover.

The separate Diapers Bundle is $79.95/month. You can also combine the Diapers Bundle and the Essentials Bundle for $115.90 per month. And I have to say, the diapers from this company are absolutely adorable. They are plant-based, disposable diapers and they come in all kinds of cute patterns like: skulls, gingham, dinosaurs, pink stars, etc. I will keep these in mind for baby showers, because they are just so unique!

A Long, Wonderful, Family-Filled Weekend

2013-01-24T05:16:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was a great one. We got to spend a lot of quality time together as a family, and we did some really fun activities! I personally had a 4 day weekend, which was sooooo needed. Here's a run down of the weekend's main events.

Saturday: How to Train Your Dragon, Live Spectacular. My MIL took us to Anaheim to see this amazing show. It was truly astounding what they were able to do! The dragons breathed real fire, flew, and interacted with the actors. It's a cute story to begin with, and if you have not seen the movie I highly recommend it. Of course, we had to bring home a dragon toy to commemorate the occasion. Little J LOVED it! I think we all enjoyed it a lot more than we originally imagined. It was a 2 hour show, so I wouldn't recommend bringing really little ones.

[caption id="attachment_1110" align="aligncenter" width="384"] J had so much fun![/caption]

Sunday: We got up early and headed to Disneyland. We were unaware of the Tinkerbell Half Marathon that was going on in the morning, and it took us half an hour to get from the freeway exit to the parking lot. But, when we finally got into CA Adventure- we secured FastPass tickets to the World of Color show at 8 pm. Then we went on a few rides, and checked into our hotel. Disney's Grand Californian has bunk beds in the rooms, and the boys LOVED them! It's also just a gorgeous hotel, and you get into the Disney parks an hour early when you stay there.

[caption id="attachment_1108" align="aligncenter" width="384"] Mayhem is hard to catch SITTING STILL ... this was the best I could do![/caption]

We went to dinner for my cousin's birthday, then we went to see the World of Color. My husband had been pressing to see this for a long time- I wasn't really that interested. But this too exceeded my expectations! It was water special effects, Disney music, scenes from Disney movies projected on the water... hard to explain. I'll just say that I was skeptical, but I very much enjoyed the experience. It was crowded, but we left the boys with my parents so we got to enjoy a little 'adult' time.

Monday: We got up at 6 am and headed to CA Adventure at 7 am. We did this so we could get on Radiator Springs Racers before the line got too long. I thought this ride was really well done, and exciting. J told me, "I will NEVER go on that again. It was TOO FAST!" Oh well, at least we didn't wait 2 hours for him to tell me that. We spent the rest of the morning at the park, then headed back to the hotel for brunch with the characters. I was so happy that the boys weren't too afraid! When we see them in the park, neither of them wants to get too close. But J gave Pluto a big hug, which was so adorable.

[caption id="attachment_1112" align="aligncenter" width="384"] I can NEVER get him to approach the characters! I was so happy that he gave Pluto a hug :)[/caption]

Monday afternoon, we drove home and the boys were exhausted. They both took naps, and I cleaned out the car and got ready for the week. All in all, a very fun weekend! Hopefully this coming weekend will be a bit more relaxing- but I can't complain. I think the girls (Mollie and Kallie, the dogs) will be happy if we stay home ALL WEEKEND.

[caption id="attachment_1111" align="aligncenter" width="384"] Everyone was tired. Great time to snuggle.[/caption]

What did you do this weekend?

5 DIY Valentine’s Day Treats for Kids

2013-01-23T01:51:00.000-08:00

This Valentine's Day since Little J is in school, I wanted to put together some treats for the kids. I wanted SIMPLE, and something that we could make together. Below are some DIY Valentine treats for those important people in your life — from your sweetheart, neighbor or co-workers, even your child’s teacher. There are so many great DIY Valentine ideas this year, here are a few of my favorites:

[caption id="attachment_1084" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Image Source[/caption]

Rice Krispie Treats - Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make this delicious treat into a Valentine’s Day treat.

Chocolate covered pretzels - Can you tell that my kids are into sprinkles? This is another treat that you can decorate with Valentine’s Day sprinkles.

Marshmallow pops - Instead of cake pops, try marshmallow pops! You can use white chocolate, and decorate with festive pink/red/hearts sprinkles.

[caption id="attachment_1087" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Gluten Free! Image source[/caption]

Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies - Super easy, and fun for the kids to decorate.

Goody bags for any of the items above - Jaime and Jacinda from Prudent Baby have some adorable free printables up on their site.

Get the kids involved, and enjoy this Valentine's Day!

2013 New Year's Resolutions

2013-01-10T04:42:00.000-08:00

[caption id="attachment_1076" align="alignleft" width="227"] Image source: www.bostinno.com[/caption]

Each year in January, we 'reset'. We try to realign our ideals with our reality. I normally don't truly set resolutions for myself. But this year, I've decided to give it a try. You can keep me honest, and call me out. Here goes!

1. Being In The Moment- I'm going to try not to worry so much about what the future holds, since this just adds stress to my life. It's important for me to enjoy the 'here and now' with our boys growing up so fast!

2. Stay Focused- When I'm at work, I want to be doing my best. When I'm at home, I want to be focused on being a better parent. The boys deserve my full attention. It's easy to be too tired, or too cranky to really be there with them. I want to focus on them. Tangible results for this goal to me include getting on the floor and playing trains or dinosaurs. That doesn't sound too bad!

3. Looking My Best- Because I believe that this will translate to feeling my best- which will help with all the other resolutions! I want to try to be 'put together' as much as I can. Since I get up so early for work, I tend to get lazy with my appearance towards the end of the week (by this I mean, after Monday). I would like to look professional, and after seeing photos of myself with my hair up- I need to keep my HAIR DOWN! More likely, I'll search Pinterest for 'professional updos' - see below!

[caption id="attachment_1078" align="aligncenter" width="190"] Image source: http://pinterest.com/pin/71213237829482001/[/caption]

4. Being Nicer- I want to put positive vibes out there, and I know that I'll get positivity back! You never know why people behave the way they do, but this year I'm focusing on being a better ME. I'm not going to worry about what's causing other people to behave badly. I want my children to be pleasant, and easy to get along with- so I need to be a role model!

5. Eating Healthier- I know this is very general, but I would like to shift our family's diet towards more veggies and organic produce and milk. If I present my children (and my husband) with healthy options, everyone will benefit. Simple, healthy and fresh food is the goal here. Less processed, sugary and 'thrown together' meals.

[caption id="attachment_1079" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Image source: www.feedourfamilies.com [/caption]

What are YOUR New Year's Resolutions? Have you kept them so far? It has been 10 days!

DIY Chore Charts

2012-12-30T08:25:00.000-08:00

When my husband and I started discussing chores for Little J- I knew I would want a chore chart. It's just in my nature- I like clear goals and measurable success. I figured Little J would enjoy the visual aspect of the chore chart- and hopefully feel a sense of accomplishment. I don't often log onto Pinterest thinking that I can conquer a DIY project. But after doing a little research, I wanted to share how easy this project can be!

These bad boys are 98 cents each at Home Depot, in the roofing department near the rain gutters. They are 8 by 12 inches.

Next, you'll need Mod Podge. I got an 8 oz jar at Michael's for $6.50, and a foam tip brush for $0.50.

Then, the frames. I picked 8 by 12 inch frames, so I wouldn't have to cut the magnetic backing. I know it can be done, but I wasn't up for it! Those were $10 each at Michael's.

I got alphabet stickers, which added $2 to the project but removed the stress of trying to write in a straight line and added some color. The background of the chart is $0.30 per sheet of scrapbook paper, and I purchased two sheets.

You will need clear glass pebbles, about 1 inch diameter. Those set me back $2.80 at Michael's. Those are for the chore magnets.

Also, you'll need button magnets. These were $6.99, but I used a coupon to get them at $4.19. (40% off one item)

Here's what I started with...

HOW TO: This was super simple!

1. Print out chore chart icons/clip art, keeping in mind that you will want them to be approximately one inch in diameter.

2. Take a glass pebble and trace a circle around your icon. Cut out the circle you traced.

3. Put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the flat part of the glass pebble and place one of the cut outs on the pebble.

4. Using a hot glue gun, glue a button magnet onto the back of the glass pebble with the paper cut out on it.

5. While those are drying, frame your magnetic backing and scrapbook sheet in the picture frame. Decorate with your child's name and stickers.

I hope that covers it. It was so quick and easy! Here is a picture of how mine came out- I spent $38 for two chore charts.

December Bluum Box - Snow Angel

2012-12-29T13:23:00.000-08:00

This month, Bluum themed their box Snow Angel. The box was great- once again! I also got a note about Bluum Toddler- which will be a bigger box, have new features, and is for babies 13 months and up (AKA Baby Mayhem). Apparently, I will be entered automatically. I can't wait to see what it includes! I hope that they maintain the 'mama and baby' aspect of the subscription- which is what drew me to this box in the first place.

Angel Dear Ring Rattle- We got the duck rattle, and it's so soft! Baby Mayhem picked this up out of the box and loved it!

Child's Play Publishing's Pocket Pals- We got the Panda book, and we are learning facts about this interesting animal. This is a very cute item to keep in the diaper bag, and read to them when we have a quiet moment.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil- I love that this is cocoa butter in an oil format. It has a pump dispenser too. I swear by Palmer's Cocoa Butter, and I am excited to try this product.

Bonne Maman Preserves and Jellies- Made with 100% natural ingredients, tastes delicious! This little jar is pure sweetness, and the kids love it!

Emergen-C Orange- Our family has been sick for what feels like 2 months straight, so I am very familiar with this product! This packet includes a blend of vitamin C, nutrients and antioxidants to help you feel your best when chasing a toddler!

Montagne Jeunesse, 7th Heaven Mud Mask- This was supposed to be in the November box, but Hurricane Sandy had other plans. I'll have to try this when I put the boys to bed!

Let me know if you got anything different in your December Bluum box!

Ten White Elephant Gift Ideas - Under $25

2012-12-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season of the office Christmas party, or the family gift exchange. Either way, it's likely that you'll be involved in some kind of White Elephant Gift exchange this year. The gift should be gender neutral and inexpensive. I've compiled a list of ideas, to help you select a gift!

[caption id="attachment_1037" align="alignleft" width="173"] The Corksicle [/caption]

1. Wine-Related Gifts. There are many items at Target, but if you still have time some- the Corksicle is super cute! It keeps the wine chilled to the 'correct' temperature, and doubles as a bottle stopper. You could also do decorative bottle stoppers, a nice electric bottle opener, a pretty pair of wine glasses, or an aerator.

2. Gift Card. This is a super-easy, last minute gift that actually would make me very happy to walk away with! I'd recommend Starbucks or Trader Joe's.

3. Edibles. No, not underwear. Chocolate, cookies or any other holiday goodies! I'd recommend 'buying local'- for extra points. I know that a pound of See's candy would make just about anyone in my office happy! Or try a local bakery, and support small businesses.

4. Popcorn and Movie Tickets. Last year, someone brought a gift card for two movie tickets and chocolate drizzled popcorn - and it was a hit. It is essentially a free date night!

[caption id="attachment_1029" align="alignleft" width="252"] Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag [/caption]

5. Candy dish. Another item from uncommon goods, this clever candy dish caught my eye a while back- and this would be a perfect occasion for it!

6. Stationary. This is primarily a female gift, but Thank you cards or nice note cards are always handy to have. I love Papyrus for this type of gift.

7. Gag gifts. I'm terrible at these, and they give me anxiety. But if you are the type of person who could pull it off- this blog has a great list!

8. Board game. Who doesn't love board games?! You can get these for under $20 at Target or Walmart.

9. Chia Pet. I've always wanted to bring one to a gift exchange. I think this would be an awesome gift to take home! There is quite a variety available on Amazon.com.

[caption id="attachment_1033" align="alignleft" width="148"] LED USB-Powered Christmas Tree[/caption]

10. USB Plug In Desktop Items. This seems to be a new trend. Our Executive Assistant has this one, from Target. Just Google it, there are so many options!

And lastly, you can always go with a bottle of alcohol (or wine). It's not very creative, but that always works. I hope I've given you some decent ideas. Are you going to a gift exchange this year?

What's your favorite item that you've received at one of these events?

Just Another Morning...

2012-12-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

In Pre-K, J made a lovely...thing... with playdough. Apparently, it was made with flour, water, salt and other 'edible' items. Mollie decided to try that out, after we went to bed last night.

When I saw the empty plate, I thought, "Why would you want to eat that?" I mean, this THING had pipe cleaners, buttons, and other random things sticking out of it!

Then I found it on the carpet, so I figured we were OK. No x-rays to determine how many pipe-cleaners needed to be removed. As I was figuring that we were in the clear... I saw this...

I know. You're welcome. Who doesn't enjoy seeing someone else's dog vomit? I spared you from the other photos, there was so much more! So I spent my morning cleaning the dog bed, the kitchen floor, and finding random pieces of play dough on my living room floor. How was YOUR morning?!

Bundle Up - November 2012 Bluum

2012-12-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

When I saw the theme for this box, I was hoping for an adorable knit hat, mittens or a scarf. But then again, my children are a little 'old' for the baby box, and there is no way any of that stuff would fit them! I enjoyed the Babybug Magazine the best of all these items, but I also loved the stain remover samples. I'll get right into the contents.

mOmma Teether: We got Jack, and adorable seal. I've decided to put him in the freezer for Mayhem- who appears to be getting a molar. In case you didn't see her, my dachshund HATES Jack- and is in the background of this photo trying to get him.

Babybug Magazine: This 'magazine' reads like a book, and it is perfectly sized for Mayhem's stocking- and his chubby, little hands. Vibrant illustrations, and an adorable story.

Numi Organic Teas: This high quality line of teas are made only with organic, fair trade herbs, fruits, flower, and spices. And you've got to love the coupons also!

Madhava Organic Agave Nectar: This is a healthy alternative to processed sugar and artificial sweeteners, and can be used in so many different ways. Agave nectar can be used in your coffee, your oatmeal, and so much more! This also included a sample of coconut sugar- just delicious.

Caldrea Sweet Pea Stain Remover: I'd like to say that I haven't had a chance to use this- and I won't get into details. But let me just say, it works!

A side note, as a result of Hurricane Sandy- the mud mask meant to be included will be included in the December box. Can't wait! Thanks, Bluum- for another great box!

The Thanksgiving That (Almost) Never Was...

2012-11-26T07:25:00.000-08:00

Most of my friends are posting beautiful family photos of their happy family memories made over this past week. Not me. My week got off to a rough start, with yet another trip with Mayhem to the Emergency Room.

Tuesday: I get a phone call at work from our nanny. She says, "I don't want to worry you... but the baby just threw up. A lot." So, after going through some questions with her, I called the pediatrician. I told them that I was worried, because he had been roughhousing with his older brother the evening before- and banged his head. That was it, we were off to the ER...

During our 3 hours of waiting time (with an active toddler!), we got to see first-hand how bad the flu season is this year. At least there were lots of sirens from firetrucks and ambulances to catch his attention! When we finally got to see the doctor, we were all exhausted. After a quick visit, we were VERY happy to hear that Mayhem was fine- and we could go home!

Wednesday: Follow up visit to the pediatrician, and I had an unexpected 'family care/sick day' from work on the day before Thanksgiving. Gee, does that look suspicious?! What am I gonna do...

Thursday: Thanksgiving with my in-laws. They flew in from Seattle, just in time to receive the stomach bug which we soon learned was the real reason that Mayhem had vomited on Tuesday morning. I also spent the evening in the bathroom (I'll spare you the graphic details). I later learn that my father has suffered the same fate.

Friday: After being up all night, I wake up to find that my husband now has the stomach bug. No one wants to hang out with us today!

Saturday: My sister and brother have flown out from NYC to spend the week with us. Today is the day we're supposed to have our big turkey dinner. My mother is in bed, can't get up. No one wants to eat. My sister and I cook the turkey anyways, and spent a very depressing meal staring at each other. We basically made it so there would be leftovers!

[caption id="attachment_1006" align="aligncenter" width="600"] I stole my sister's pictures, since I didn't take any! www.ihaveadegreeinthis.com[/caption]

Saturday evening, Little J came down around 9:30 pm crying that his ear was 'hurting so bad, and it's NEVER going to feel better!' After calling the after-hours hotline for his pediatrician, I had to track down a 24-hour pharmacy and go get his antibiotics. All of us got back to sleep around 11:30 pm.

Sunday: Finally, most of us were feeling better. But now my sister is down, and she and my brother had a red-eye to catch. Not an ideal situation.

So all in all, I barely got to spend any time with my siblings, and a stomach bug knocked each of out- One by one. And I have zero photos from the week- mom fail. At least we all lost weight this week, instead of gaining??

How was YOUR Thanksgiving? I hope it went better than ours!

What I'm Thankful For ~ 2012 Edition

2012-11-19T00:45:00.000-08:00

What about you? What are you thankful for this year?

WARNING: Food to NOT Feed Your Dog

2012-11-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

After my experience with my basset hound, and today's hospital visit for my mother's dog- I thought that I needed to clearly lay out what foods you should NOT feed your dog. Having a toddler makes this task harder than it sounds. Believe me. I wanted to share what I have found since I didn't know many of these were bad for dogs when I started looking. We all know to avoid chocolate (right?!), but here is a list of other items to steer clear from.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="281"] Source: http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/profiles/blogs/srila-prabhupada-tells-story-of-origin-of-onion-and-garlic[/caption]

1. Onions and garlic: In all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- can destroy a dog's red blood cells, which leads to anemia. An occasional small dose is probably OK, but eating a large amount once or eating smaller servings regularly can cause poisoning. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.

2. Caffeine: In large enough quantities, caffeine can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee, caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, sodas, and energy drinks such as Red Bull. It's also in some cold medicines and pain killers.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="220"] Source: http://www.healthy-self-esteem.com/eating-well.html[/caption]

3. Grapes AND Raisins: Although it isn't clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog ill. Repeated vomiting is an early sign. Within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to keep grapes and raisins off counters and other places your dog can reach.

4. Milk products: On a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream cone with your dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you for not doing so. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset as well as set up food allergies (which often manifest as itchiness).

5. Macadamia Nuts: Dogs should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they can be fatal. As few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating chocolate with the nuts will make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.

Other items to avoid:

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="290"] Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Pets/Advice/Healthy-Dog-Treats.html[/caption]

Candy and gum
Bones (I know! But they are a choking hazard)
Raw eggs
Raw meat and fish
Alcohol
Your medicine
Avocados
Persimmons, peaches and plums

Good treats for dogs:

Carrots
Green beans
Apples
Bananas

Thanks to pets.webmd.com for some great information!

How To Make a Child-Size Table

2012-11-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Love this post from A Detailed House, with so many child-size table ideas! I need to make a Lego table...