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[A journey of 1000 stitches begins with just one] Let's Give a Little!

Brandie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:21:00 PDT

I know, I know, the economy is pretty shaky right now. Lots of people are feeling the pinch. And despite all of that, today, I come to you asking for money!

Why? Because it's important. I am joining in on the DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge!

Now, it wasn't all that long ago that I talked about education specifically in the Chicago area ... and so today I set up a giving page and thoughtfully went through the many many listings on DonorsChoose.org. I specifically picked items from Chicago. I tried to do a little reading, math, social studies, science. Because all the subjects are important. And there are so many to pick from and they all look good!

So here's how you can help .. go to my Giving Page and add some donations to one (or more) charities there. Then blog about it so more people will go there. And tell them to blog about it. And well, you see how things can grow. If we can get 100 people to give just 5, we will have 500 dollars to give to classrooms, to improve someone's education, to make a difference. And if we can 100 people to give just 10 dollars, then we've hit 1000!! See how easy this is?! If everyone pulls together and just helps a little bit, we can do really GREAT things! That's all it takes - a lot of us coming together to give a little and we can accomplish a lot. No donation is too small.

I know this is a lot to ask. I know you might be feeling a tight budget right now. You might be worried about a job right now. You might be wondering how to make the next mortgage payment, but if you could find just a few dollars to give, it all gets pooled together and we can do great things for sure!!

Anyway, I leave you with some info on what the charity is and what it all means! And if you look over to the right, you will see a nice widget tracking what we can accomplish and do!

Thanks so much everyone! =)

BACKGROUND ON THE CHARITY

DonorsChoose.org grew out of a high school in the Bronx where teachers saw their students going without the materials needed to learn. Our website provides an easy way for everyday people to address this problem. Public school teachers post project requests that range from a $100 classroom library, to a $600 digital projector, to a $1,000 trip to the zoo. People like you can choose which projects to fund and then get photos and thank-you letters from the classroom.

BACKGROUND ON THE 2008 DONORSCHOOSE.ORG BLOGGER CHALLENGE In October of 2007, bloggers competed to see who could rally the most support for public schools via DonorsChoose.org. Blog readers gave $420,000 to classroom projects benefiting 75,000 students in low-income communities. While A-list bloggers like Engadget and TechCrunch inspired great generosity, smaller blogs with really engaged readers generated even more!
The next DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge, running through the month of October, promises to have an even bigger impact. Technorati is sponsoring the rankings, and Fortune magazine is already committed to covering the event.

Also, I will be leaving this post up at the top of my page until October 31, which is the day the challenge ends!

[PunditMom] Looking for Some Political Mojo?

PunditMom — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:41:00 PDT

With just 23 days to go to the Presidential election, it's time to start a little forward looking planning on what political communities will look like in 2009 and beyond.

If you're planning on being at BlogHer D.C. tomorrow, stop my the panel I'll be on with several other very talented political ladies, Shireen Mitchell of Women Wired In, Liza Sabater of Culture Kitchen and Erin Kotecki Vest, the Queen of Spain.

Come on, it'll be fun! Maybe I'll even do an impersonation or two, you betcha! ;)

[Mrs. Flinger] Potty Mouth

Mrs. Flinger — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:54:00 PDT

My daughter talks. She talks. And talks. And talks. A few days ago we challenged her to be quiet for five minutes. “Just FIVE minutes. I’ll buy you a pony!” the mister bribed.

She failed at 2 minutes 5 seconds.

She talks through everything: coloring, playing with her mice. (Oh, yes! she has invisible mice! You know? Like Cinderella? Or the crazy cat lady in the psych ward?) She talks about her friends. She talks so much she even narrates her poop.

The other day I was standing there waiting for my daughter to pinch off a tootsie roll listening to her talk. “Oh, my poop hurts, Mom. It makes my bottom HUURRRRTTTTT OWE OWE OWE.” (I use this time to talk about Fiber, the importance of eating your veggies at dinner and fruit for snacks instead of crackers. Oh, that’s right, there is no sacred moment I will not use for my own mothering.) She continues, “Sometimes I pee when I poop. Sometimes I just poop. Today I’m just going to poop.”

I glance around the empty bathroom and check my watch.

“Are you done now, sweetie?” I ask.

“No. I have this much more” she holds up her hands showing me a little space. “Like my mice are this big? I have that much more poop in my tummy.”

“MhmMM”

“Sometimes my mice go poop in the big toilet. Sometimes they go in the little toilet.”

“MmhmmM”

“Sometimes when I poop a big one, it splashes my bottom with the water.”

That one caught my attention.

Kids: So honest.

So right.

preschooler, parenting, family, children, words, things kids say

[Joy Unexpected] And she chose Ariel

Yvonne — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:53:54 PDT

This may be the first time in the history of me being a Mother that I didn't wait til the last minute to buy a costume for a child of mine. Damn, it feels good.

[Hahn at Home] Where’s Mr. Rogers When You Need Him?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:01:23 PDT

I knew when I moved into this neighborhood I might not feel totally at home. It’s just not felt quite right for a few reasons. Not that I won’t survive, but knowing who my neighbors are now – well, that’s made it clear I’m not one of their kind.

Today, out the window of my office, I spied a bald man running from yard to yard sticking up these signs. I’m now surrounded on two sides by these people.

I was going to let it go, but I popped out to let the Bald Man know that I was fairly certain that under the Association’s CC&Rs, that it’s doesn’t allow signs in yards or windows – which is why I have not posted my NO on Prop 8 sign – a political sign is a sign. Turns out Bald Man was my next door neighbor, Yard Police! I’ve apparently got some kind of memory block that doesn’t allow me to remember what he looks like from meeting to meeting. The first sentence of the following paragraph makes that pretty clear.

“B-5. EXTERIOR APPEARANCE/SIGNAGE

a) Signs, advertising or other devices, or miscellaneous paraphernalia shall not be exposed or attached in any fashion to or on windows, fences and exterior walls or any other areas of buildings or grounds except for one aesthetically acceptable (to the Architectural Control Committee) nameplate or similar owner name identification, and one unobtrusive sign advertising the existence of a security service protecting the Lot or Condominium. The Architectural Control Committee shall have the power to grant exceptions to this restriction in appropriate cases. NO VENDOR ADVERTISING SIGNS ARE PERMITTED.

b) One sign of reasonable dimensions not to exceed 18” x 30” advertising the home for sale or rent may be displayed in the window of a home, yard area or other areas designated by the Association.”

So, I walked over to Yard Police’s garage where he was working with the CC&Rs – and dang if he didn’t poo-poo me like I was a silly child who clearly didn’t know anything. I’ve left a message with the Association to get clarification. Interestingly, no one else has any signs up in the area that I could find - just him and his little posse.

If I have to look out my front window at that crap then by golly, I’m going out and grabbing a bunch of NO on Prop 8 signs and am going to randomly fill the rest of the street.

[My Single Mom Life] It was a kid filled weekend.

Kat — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:45:23 PDT

On Friday afternoon, Bobby, the boy who used to live next door to us in the duplex, called and when Sebastian answered the phone, he asked if he could speak to me.
I hopped on and said hey Bobby, what's up?
He said, "Hey Kat, I was wondering, I was hoping anyway, that maybe I could come over and spend the night? Would that be ok?"
I said of course, you're always welcome here, we miss you guys.
And it is true, I do miss them, Bobby and his mom anyway.
Despite all of the drama and problems during the 4 years they lived right next door, he and his mom were good people deep down, they tried to be anyway.

He told me he had to go help his mom do some shopping and then he'd be over.
When he got here, he told us that he and his mom hate the new house, he hates it the most.
There are no kids at all in the neighborhood, not even babies or toddlers, no older kids, no one at all for him to play with, and how much he misses the teens even though they used to get into fights all of the time.
I told him again that he was welcome here, he can come back on the weekends and spend the night, no biggie.
He was so happy.

So the teens and he laughed and played all night, and then on Saturday, Mark went with his Big George, and Mindy was taking me grocery shopping and to get my meds, so we took Sebastian and Bobby with us to help pick up all the heavy stuff that I can't.
We got back home and pulled in the driveway, and Mark and George pulled in right behind us, so now I had 3 teenagers to help carry all of the groceries in the house.
Yay!

Sebastian and Bobby were having so much fun, they asked if he could spend the night again, I said yes, and so they all continued playing and having fun.
But having 3 teenage boys in the house means that it's loud, very loud, so I didn't get any rest at all, no lay down time on the couch for me, and both nights I had terrible insomnia.
I'm completely wiped out today, probably why I screwed up and posted the post below to this blog and not my other one.
I've been doing so good keeping my health issues off of this blog, but after so many years logging in here to blog, mixed with tired, I just started posting here again.
I would have deleted it, but the RSS had already picked it up, so I just left it.
Oh well.

Bobby went back home this morning, and he gave me a hug before he left.
There was a small hint of sadness in his eyes, he really does miss the boys, miss living here, and I think he finally realizes that all of the lying he did, all of the problems he created between his mom and me, may have played a really big part in his family moving away, he's really a different kid, more helpful, more kind, more mature.

Also, having 3 loud teens all weekend, made me unable to keep up with blog feeds and stuff, so I'm trying now to go through them all.
All 358 of them that came in since 3:20pm on Friday afternoon.
Yowza.

[Melanie in Orygun] Sunday Stealing: Canceled Due To Drain

Mel — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:37:00 PDT

Back to Sunday already? Wow; it's supposed to be time to play Sunday Stealing, the meme-thieving blog pastime that you can find right here. If you do play, remember to add your link so I can read your answers. Sadly, I don't think I want to play this week. I'm all tired and weird and drained today.

I'll still be participating, just not this week.

Sorry, folks. Have a good Sunday!

[Doodaddy] Sunday Confessional XXVII

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:33:20 PDT

Boo just said, “I just went potty before naptime so you wouldn’t be mad at me again.”

Tell no one.

[BlogHer Mommy and Family] Pumpkin Yard Art

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:59:56 PDT

When I moved to the suburbs of Illinois, I did not expect to find so many homes decorated for Halloween. Every time we go out to eat or to run an errand, I turn down a different street, just to see what's down it, and every time we find house after house after house decorated for Halloween.

In most of these highly decorated yards, there are pumpkins. Real pumpkins - some carved, some not. Plastic pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and types. I didn't know there were so many types of plastic pumpkin yard decorations available! We've come a long way from the small plastic pumpkins with the light inside and the lawn and leaf bags that look like jack-o-lanterns.

Inflatable pumpkins are everywhere, Cinderella's coach gone bad is in a yard around the corner from us - along with a couple of other inflatables. I've seen so many yards with pumpkin lawn stakes that I'm surprised when I see a yard without them.

Now excuse me while I carry our carved pumpkins out to the front deck and consider whether we should join our neighbors and head out to purchase some plastic pumpkins. What do you think, do I need some plastic or inflatable pumpkin decorations?

~~Denise
Flamingo House Happenings

[Mindful Momma] The Juice Trap

Micaela — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:43:48 PDT

When we first started using daycare, our provider, who is full of words of wisdom said "Juice is a trap that parents fall into." We listened to her words but eventually we fell into the trap anyway.

What got me thinking about this was that one of my neighbors was over for dinner the other night and she said that she doesn't keep juice in the house so her kids hardly ever drink it. Wow! She doesn't buy juice! At all??? I'm impressed!

It's not that I have a problem with juice in general. 100% juice has some nutritional value, right? The problem I have is that once you start buying it, the kids think they need to have it everyday. Like it's some kind of 'right' they have. (or are my kids just incredibly headstrong?)

Have you fallen into the juice trap? Other than banning it from the house altogether, you might want to consider these tips for managing the flow:

Buy 100% juice only. Juice 'drinks' are loaded with corn syrup, other added sugars, artificial flavors and colors.
Water down the juice. I still do this most of the time even though my kids are older. Straight juice seems SO sweet and they seem to like the less concentrated version just as much.
Keep in mind that an official serving of juice is only 4 ounces (and most sippy cups are more than that!)
Skip the juice boxes and pouches - they are not recyclable in most areas and who needs all that packaging going straight to the garbage heap?
If you can afford organic, go for it because it's better for both health and the environment.
Limit juice to once a day - OJ with breakfast perhaps? (this is the one I'm still struggling with!)

Why am I rambling on about juice? Well, I'm wondering what other parents do. Do you skip juice altogether? Is juice a special treat that you only have occasionally? Or do you consider it a healthy alternative to soda and energy drinks?

[Mid-Century Modern Moms] Teachable Moments

SuburbanCorrespondent — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:37:15 PDT

[Adventures in Mommyhood] Baptised!

Rebecca — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:35:00 PDT

Jaben and I were baptised today!

I know some who read this are surprised, but it's been a long time coming. We found our church - First Baptist - a little over 2 months ago and fell in love with it. Jaben wanted to go check it out because of the after school roller skating program they run for the intermediate school students. It's just across the street from the school, and Jaben spent many afternoons skating to Christian music and listening to the word. He absolutely loved Pastor Paul and convinced us (not that it was hard) to visit the church and see what we thought. So we did.

For myself, I felt pretty comfortable from the first service. Pastor Paul is an awesome preacher and his sermons are so easy to listen to - which is a huge difference from the preaching I heard as a child. Just felt like a good place to be. But what really clinched it for me was the baptism. Jaben and I have been talking about it for a while, "when we find the right place." After a few weeks of attending, Pastor Paul mentioned that there would be a baptism service coming up and for any who were interested to speak with him. To both of us, that just screamed of the sign we needed that we were in the right place.

So. As of today, Jaben and I are both very happy new members of the First Baptist Church. It is good, and we are all very happy there. It's so nice to know that Jaben will have the support of his church family thru his teen years, and that Kyan will always have a church family growing up.

[Pajama Mommy Community] Audio Book Review: E.L. Konisberg - The View From Saturday

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:32:09 PDT

There is a lot to be said about young adult fiction novels. Some of them can stick with you for a life time, others you can easily forget. The View From Saturday is one of those that will stay with you forever. To the point where you will want to re-read it. It is quickly a classic favorite and I recommend it to everyone.

The basic story line is about how a sixth grade academic bowl team learns how to truly become a team. The book itself truly deserved the Newbery award (the highest award a children’s book can earn.) Now some parents implore their children to read and I can completely understand why, however sometimes it is just nice to stick to an audio book. I find audio books a great tool for quality time. Not only do you get to immerse yourself into a book with your child but neither one of you get to skip ahead and you’ll be on the same page. This is perfect for daily traveling or an hour at night for both of you to listen to a few chapters together.

The book is moving in itself and should be a must own for everyone. Whether you purchase the audio or the hardcover this is one book that teaches must needed lessons to children without being in your face as other books I have found in the past do. Even as an adult you can connect to the children as each child represents where most people have been in some place in their life.
The authors masters an eloquent style and truly develops the characters where you wish it was a couple of more hundred pages or a few more discs just to hear more about the characters themselves.

You not only enjoy the book but you almost wish it wouldn’t end since you’ve found a few new friends.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

[Rocks in my Dryer] Pssst...

Shannon — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:29:43 PDT

[What was I Thinking?] We got some culcha this afternoon

margalit — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:02:00 PDT

[My Single Mom Life] Sorry, that's not covered.

Kat — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:53:58 PDT

My surgeon sent me a new pain script, so I needed to go get it filled.
I went on line to the site for my drug coverage insurance to make sure it was covered, and it wasn't on the list, so I called the 800-number.
It is the same pain med I take now, but a higher strength. Same name, just a higher dose.
They do not cover it at all, they said nope, but my doc said to switch to this one so I had to go get it, and that meant paying out of pocket.

I've paid out of pocket for this med before, the lower dose, and it really wasn't bad at all.
It was like $60 something for 90 pills, so I was thinking the higher dose, less pills, 60 of them, it would be about the same price.
Oh how wrong I was.

Mindy took me down to the Publix that has a pharmacy, and I put in my script for it and we went shopping.
I came back to get it, and the cashier said $239.80.
My jaw nearly fell, but I paid it, I had to get it, so I paid it.

On Monday, I'm going to call my insurance and ask them why they won't cover it, why I have to go to different pharmacies, because Walgreen's that has my insurance on file, the employees will tell me over and over again that it's not covered, and they won't let me pay cash for it, so I have to go to Publix and pay cash.
It sucks.
I mean, why the hell won't they cover the higher dose!?
What is it!?
A class 30 drug?
A schedule 5?
A CAT5e to the finite narcotic?!
It's only 5mg stronger than the old pain med, same name, only 5mgs stronger, I do not understand why they won't cover it.
Paying that much is simply not right.
I'm going to have to talk to my surgeon about it because I cannot pay that amount every single month.
No way.

Ooops!
I posted this on the wrong blog.

[this woman's work] New posts at Open Adoption Support

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:51:11 PDT

Three new FAQs. I’m too tired (and too busy) to post more so head over there to check ‘em out!

Possibly related posts

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

[Little Elephants] A scary pipe cleaner spider

Veronique Christensen — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:34:17 PDT

This is the easiest and most satisfying Halloween project ever. All you need is one black pom-pom and one black pipe cleaner. Just cut your pipe cleaner into four even strips and wrap them around the pom-pom. Once secured in place, bend the legs for a nice creepy crawly effect, and you are done.

You're welcome :-)

[Mama Drama] Late Afternoon Sunday Funny

Margaret Moellenberndt — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:31:32 PDT

by Margaret, soon to be Mama Is it wrong that I laughed pretty darn hard at this? Like, tears in my eyes, laughing? My cat ran in from the other room to investigate and ran out quickly and my dog...

[Plain Jane Mom Blog] We went out on a school night. We've still got it.

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:21:50 PDT

Last Monday night, Craig and I did something unusual.

We went out on a weeknight! My wonderful mom stayed with the kids and Craig and I got to see David Byrne in concert in San Francisco at Davies Symphony Hall. It was pretty much like the blown-out image above and so much fun!

You might remember that when I first heard he was touring I kind of went apeshit and immediately bought tickets. Craig was lukewarm on the idea, but I dragged him along anyway. (Who else was going to keep me from running up onto the stage?)

It was an amazing concert, and I got further confirmation that I married well because Craig didn't mind that I danced the entire time and couldn't wipe the goofy grin off my face. I defy anyone to not have a good time in the face of such happy music. Hell, he even played my favorite song from "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" called "Help Me Somebody." (The youtube video just has the audio accompanied by some artwork from the album cover.) I never expected to hear that song live, so yay me!

The show ended with a marching band and "Burning Down the House" natch, but they had already played "Crosseyed and Painless" which is one of my favorite songs of all songs in the world.

If you like David Byrne or Talking Heads I really recommend you go to this show. Craig liked it so much he was trying to convince me to look into flying to other shows on the tour!

Follow me on Twitter @ErikaJurney and Facebook.

The Plain Jane Mom Blog is Copyright © 2008 Erika Fields Jurney.
Erika Jurney, 555 Bryant Street #377, Palo Alto, CA 94301. 650-248-2451.

[Pajama Mommy Community] Check Out Our New Look!

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:13:48 PDT

If you haven’t come to the site since 4:05PM EST. We have officially displayed our new look. Now some of you may have been wondering why our categories were going so crazy on the old design.. well now you see!

The site has been completely revamped. The categories are all re-done so you dont have to sift through a generic category to find the specific thing you’re looking for. So please feel free to check things out.

For those of you who use IE6.0 I would suggest upgrading or checking the site out in another browser we know of the issues and we are trying our best to remedy them as quickly as possible. However, for the most part 6.0 is obsolete and not as many people use it anymore so we do greatly apologise.

If you come across ANY 404 pages or experience ANY errors PLEASE LET ME KNOW! There is a contact form on EVERY PAGE in the sidebar for you to write us your opinons love letters and hate letters or let us know if something isn’t working!

I would love to know what you think!

This theme was designed originally by Holly Ord Media and customized by a close friend of mine who runs Focus Organic. The theme will be available in a generic form soon to to purchase a download from Holly Ord Media so when its ready we’ll let you know!

[Falling Down Is Also a Gift] all tagged up and no place to go

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:13:45 PDT

Jörg just reminded me that we have a tree, tagged and paid for, waiting to be put in our yard.

A few weeks ago Annika told me that she wanted a tree, a tree like Hannah's tree in front of Mulberry School. At first I thought she was talking about a memorial tree, in case she died. This, of course, nearly made me swerve off the road as my heart went all stiff and heavy, stopped beating, and plummeted to my ankles.

But, no, she hastened to reassure me, she just thought Hannah's tree was so pretty. And she thought there should be a tree in our yard for her. Because if you plant a tree to remember someone you miss, then we should have done that, too, in our yard.

Besides, she pointed out, trees are great.

And, because I was incapable of arguing against a single one of those points, I stopped the car at the nursery we were driving past on the way home.

Hannah's tree, a Purpleleaf Plum, wasn't available in a small size (for easy planting), so she agreed to an Autumn Blaze Maple, instead. We paid for it and left it there, planning to borrow our friends' van to go pick it up later. Then Jörg, a.k.a. Mr. Rules Are There For A Reason, insisted that I call to get the utilities marked before digging the hole.

So I did, and waited the 48 hours. Then it rained. Then Annika went to the hospital for the rest of the week to get a transfusion and her electrolytes back in balance. Then we went to St. Louis for a quick family trip together. Then we came home. I did laundry. And, boom, liver time!

Which means that there is still a lonely little tree in a very manageable 7.5 gallon pot marked with our name, and waiting to be planted in the northwest corner of our backyard. So, is there anyone in our town reading this who feels the urge to plant a tree? And maybe take some photos of the planting to show Anni? If so, email me (moreena@gmail.com), and I'll give you directions to the nursery, where the tree is paid for and ready to go

[What's That Smell?] How does your baby grow?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:11:25 PDT

Time and again I marvel at the change I witness in my daughter. Today she spent an hour putting a red plastic triangle shape into a pink cup. Put triangle in cup. Shake cup. Triangle flies out of cup. Repeat. Seems like a common enough occurrence with a baby, right? Well, when it is the very first time [...]

[Pajama Mommy Community] Tadam Jewelry

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:04:26 PDT

I have to say quality, quality, quality. It is so important when it comes to jewelry for me. I am so sensitive to poor materials it isn’t even funny. Which is why I was so excited when I received my items from Tadam the products were absolutely amazing.The detail to design is utterly breath taking. I was sent a necklace, now I don’t normally wear them because I never get the new styles and how to do them so unfortunately that one was lost on me but its no longer on the site so don’t worry people you wont get confused either!

However the designer truly impressed me with her creativity and using these fine materials to make such unique beautiful pieces. I’m big into earrings so some of her earring styles aren’t my style I’m very classic. However they are still none the less absolutely breath taking. I personally prefer her inspirational collection. That is more my style.

I love her combinations of colors and different materials. The price tag isn’t that bad either. The black spiral drop earrings shown are also called the Vulcan Earrings. They are my absolute favorite.. Price tag only $49 for a set. They are had made so she is ridiculously low.

I have to say I find more expensive things on etsy! She also has matching bracelets to go with it! So check out the site today it is definitely worth the click!

[MomReviews] Eco-Friendly Trading Card Adventure Game!

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:53:23 PDT

Did your kids watch the Summer Olympics that took place in Beijing this past summer? If so, a very cool new trading card game gives them an opportunity to learn about China’s ecosystems and meet the endangered species that live in them. Matter Group is the environmentally conscious company that created Xeko, a trading card game series that teaches kids about area’s of the world that are in the most need of conservation, and introduces them to the threatened animal species that live there. Mission: China is the fourth collection of this award-winning trading card game series.

This mission includes animals like the beloved Giant Panda, critically endangered Snow Leopard, and ferocious King Cobra. The Xeko Mission: China starter set comes packaged in a stunning pagoda box decorated with animals from China’s habitats and dragon illustrations that capture the mysteries of ancient Chinese culture. Like the blockbusters Pokèmon and Yu-Gi-Oh, Xeko involves collecting trading cards to create a custom library—or in this case a “Xeko-system”—and using the cards to match wits against opponents in exciting game play.The starter set retails for $24.99. Booster packs of 9 cards are available for $3.99.

Dedicated to “a bright green future,” Xeko produces the games in an Earth-friendly way. Not only are the cards and packaging made of 100% recycled stock, but all printing is done with eco-friendly inks. While younger children can play and enjoy the game, Xeko is best suited for kids ages 8 years and up. Any of the Xeko games would make wonderful Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. My 9 year old and his best friend have spent hours looking through the Mission: China cards and talking about the animals. I’d like to thank Lisa from Kidstuff PR for sending us the Mission: China Xeko starter kit and two extra booster packs!

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[Where there's a Willer] Thanksgiving

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:50:50 PDT

It’s Canadian Thanksgiving, a time where I could be reflecting on all the good things, all the things to be thankful for (who I am thanking?? never mind).

But I am a little ball of ingratitude.

I know many, too many people, whose path to their desired parenthood is riddled with loss, with medical complications, with having to literally reach around the world to grab a hold of their children, their desperately wanted children.

Me? I’d like to ship Oliver off for a week, so I can pay someone to potty train him, because it’s REALLY not going well and I just don’t get why he’d rather stand there, looking at me sheepishly, with piss running down his leg. Kid, why can’t you put it in the piece of nice red plastic? Or the other white potty we got you? Or the toilet insert? BECAUSE WE BOUGHT ALL OF THEM TO PLEASE YOU, IN CASE YOU HAD A PREFERENCE. Because I’m trying to do it by the book, by the very helpful literature preschool sent home, by what I’ve read online, and it’s not working. You don’t care. You don’t actually meet the first criteria of potty-training readiness, the one that states ‘your child is bothered by sitting in his own excrement’ - because, in fact, I think you LOVE IT.

So intensive potty training, on this long holiday weekend, which seemed like a good idea at the time, is causing me rage.

So many people are (for better, it seems, in some cases, but in some, for worse) raising their children alone. Some people are struggling in their relationships. Instead of being thankful for my marriage, I am annoyed as hell that Mark went flying this morning while I dealt with the training-resistant toddler and cranky nose-running again baby. I am thankful, however, that he’s now taken both of them out on a car ride to get them to sleep. That I have some time on my own. So maybe I won’t end up tossing Oliver across the room tonight (the rage, I swear, it’s bad - I need to go do some Wii Boxing or something).

So many people are losing their homes, particularly south of the border. I should be thankful for shelter, for our circumstances that leave us greatly protected from the economic upheaval that is affecting so many. Instead I am frustrated by our limited time to clean the house, by our limited resources to make the house how we want it, by the damn stained carpet in our family room (that is now getting more and more stained, thanks kid).

I am stirring my homemade cranberry sauce, the one I always make with orange zest, and thinking - why the hell I am bothering? I should have just opened a tin. Turkey’s in the oven, a small whole bird, instead of the boneless turkey breast we normally do. It better be worth the hours of cooking.

I think I might ask Mark to slap me across the face when he gets home - I am truly, pathetically ungrateful.

I feel the need for a glass of wine (none in the house, DAMN IT) and pumpkin pie. Emotional eating, here I come.

[Mombian] In Memoriam: Matthew Shepard

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:43:54 PDT

Ten years ago today, Matthew Shepard was pronounced dead at Poudre Valley Hospital in Wyoming after being severely beaten in a homophobic attack. His parents have since become outspoken advocates for erasing hate.

I had the honor of hosting Judy Shepard when she spoke at Merrill Lynch in 2000, back when I was head of the company’s LGBT employee network. Her talk was incredibly moving. I was not yet a parent myself, however, and I did not fully realize how difficult it must have been for her to channel her grief into such action. I think now about losing my son, and I do not know if I could be so compassionate and constructive.

In a letter on the Matthew Shepard Foundation site today, Mrs. Shepard writes about “Ten Years of Change: No Progress.” She says:

The continuing belief that what happened to Matt was not a hate crime and the notion that ‘special people shouldn’t have special rights’, is beyond my comprehension. The level of ‘hate’ is frightening. . . .

It is ignorance that ultimately results in hate and that may escalate into physical violence. The only way to combat the ignorance is to educate and tell our stories.

We are all aware of how important this election cycle is to all of us. Please take the time to know the issues and what is at stake for the LGBT community. Share your stories with those who care about you. It is the only way they will know how to vote to support you. . . .

Apathy is unacceptable. We are at a cross roads in the movement and we need to show our support for those who support the LGBT community. We are all hoping the next ten years will be our time.

The LGBT community and our families celebrated a huge victory two days ago with the legalization of marriage for same-sex couples in Connecticut. Let us not forget, however, that many jurisdictions, including the federal government, still do not have LGBT-inclusive hate crimes laws. Marriage is a right we should fight for, but it is not the only one. Matthew Shepard will never walk down the aisle.

[Evil Mommy] Where Halloween is Everyday

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:35:45 PDT

Back when we lived in Chicagoland, one of our favorite places to go was American Science and Surplus, the home of…well, of damn near anything and everything. Certainly the place to go for Halloween supplies. Or “smoking” supplies. Or lots of other things, especially if you’re into building, electronics, or the like.

Back then, there was a big warehouse-type place in West Chicago; it’s since moved to the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago, on N. Milwaukee Ave. Someday when we go back for a visit, I’d love to take School Girl in there. For those of you (like me) who live too far for that, there’s always their catalog. It’s free, but you have to place an order semi-regularly to keep them coming. The catalog is pretty funny all by itself. Warning - like any other surplus place, if you see something that catches your eye, be prepared to buy right away.

[C.G. Barrett] Turnabout is Fair Play

C.G. Barrett — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:29:00 PDT

Okay. I'm used to being corrected at home by the four strong-willed females who let me board there. Now I have an online competitor.

Yes, The Papaya, 9, has started her own blog...to set the record straight.

Of course, anything she writes about me is calumny, libel and lies. Really. I'm the coolest dad around.

She had wanted an e-mail address. We refused. Then, somehow, she taught herself to start posting comments on my blog. (Have you noticed any with sentences ending in a dozen exclamation points? That's The Papaya!!!!!) I realized we had to redirect her writing energies. So I decided to send her down to the warehouse district with a can of spraypaint, but Maria intervened.

Then yesterday The Papaya demanded a blog. That seemed more reasonable. It might, I realized, even cause her to stop posting comments on mine. Plus, after she goes to bed, I can simply log on to her blog and change what she writes. I'll just wait until she tells everyone in her class what the web address is. Then I'll post a blog saying how much she secretly loves Billy Ray...even though he still eats his boogers.

Just don't tell her.

Check out The Papaya's Pages and be sure to post a comment. She loves them almost as much as exclamation points.

[Parent Dish] Lisa Marie Presley gives birth

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:00 PDT

Filed under: Bump watch, Celeb kids, Celeb parenting

Considering the grief that Lisa Marie Presley got before she announced her pregnancy last March, I don't blame her one bit for keeping quiet about giving birth. But the word is out now and her publicist confirms that Elvis Presley's only child is a mom again. She and her husband Michael Lockwood welcomed their twin girls this past Tuesday and according to that publicist, "babies and mom are happy and healthy and resting at home."

The girls names have not been revealed, but we do know that they arrived via C-section, one weighing in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces and the other at 5 pounds, 2 ounces.

The babies make three and four for Presley, who has two teenage children from her first marriage to Danny Keough - 19-year-old Danielle Riley, and 15-year-old Benjamin Storm.

Congratulations to Presley and Lockwood!

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[Sarah and the Goon Squad] Who is In? BlogHer Reach Out Washington D.C.

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:56:11 PDT

Tomorrow at 2:45 Cindy Samuels and I will be presenting on/leading a discussion about Blogging Basics and Managing Information Overload: How to find your blogging community.

Come out and ask good questions that make me sound intelligent, or at least say hi at the cocktail party.

[Mommy/Prof] The deformed girl in the attic

MommyProf — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:50:00 PDT

So I am re-reading the last Harry Potter book. I usually read them in a day or two when they first came out, and then I have to go back later and remind myself of all the little details that I had forgotten. I was reminded about the mystery surrounding Dumbledore's sister, who is sequestered by the family and her later death is shrouded in mystery.

I guess I feel a little like Ariana Dumbledore. Our site visit for our accreditation is tomorrow. Some of the things that the department will get evaluated on include faculty and governance. My still being here is a problem on both those counts. Because of the shift of my job to lecturer, the department is more unbalanced in favor of lecturers - out of 12 faculty, we only have 4 tenured people and a student load of about 400. I am not in adminstration, but this seems like a problem to me.

Then, governance. When the department submitted the self-study for the accreditation to the dean of the college where we are housed, we were told to remove references to my tenure reviews being positive, I think to make it look like the right thing happened. Chair comes in on Friday to talk with me and tells me that, you know, with accreditation coming up and everything, he has been to busy to ask questions about me, now that the upper administration has been replaced. But we'll do it right after, or real soon, or something like that. This seems to me to be clearly asking me to be "good" and avoid talk of the tenure issues with the site team so that we can get our accreditation. In return, I get some vague future promises that, at this point, I can't believe are going to happen.

So do I a) be a "good" girl, lie, and talk about how my contributions have really been lecturer level all along, so justice was done. Or b) be a "bad" girl and answer questions truthfully (at least from my perspective) and maybe even provide copies of stuff from evaluations. Or c) hide in the attic and wait to die.

Better decide before tomorrow.

[Suburban Bliss] Random Political Weekend Post.

MelissaS — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:41:55 PDT

[Weary Parent] Sunday Reading

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:15:35 PDT

Kids see porn on the internet; either intentionally or not.

Hearst is closing down Cosmo Girl after the December 2008 issue. But don’t worry, CosmoGirl.com will continue.

One magazine closes and another starts. Hearst is starting a new magazine, Mis Quince, a magazine aimed at girls who are planning their quinceañeras.

Are the dyes in your child’s food making him hyper?

Energy drinks may lead to future substance abuse.

At least 72% of 12- to 17-year-olds have been bullied online. And 90% of them never told their parents.

Depressed kids are getting medicine, but no therapy.

Kids who were aggressive toddlers, received harsh or reactive parenting and come from low-income families are more likely to be bulliied.

Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an ivy league school, is starting a new website for high school students. It’s coming in February 2009. “Knowledge@Wharton High School is an interactive site for high school students interested in finding out more about the world of business.”

Britney Spears is ready to spill the beans about her behavior last year that landed her in a psych ward. She will appear in a 90 minute documentary on November 30th…just days before her next album drops.

Porn sells. Even to kids?

Connecticut joins Massachusetts and California as the only three states in the nation that allow same-sex marriage.

The Massachusetts school where girls entered in to a “pregnancy pact” last year is now going to allow contraceptives to be provided to students.

Many schools have banned soda, but kids are still getting their fix from local convenience stores.

Videos on video-sharing websites or social networks are showing our kids how to get high.

Now parents can control their teens car with only a key. Ford is introducing MyKey which allows parents to program how fast the car can go and how loud the radio can be. It will even “remind” kids to put their seat belt on. It will be a free standard feature on the 2010 Ford Focus.

Google is taking over the world…or at least video games. They are adding Adsense to some video games.

College students get creative with their cheap dorm decorating.

Some pets aren’t safe for kids.

Don’t let the thought of a bulging figure stop you from enjoying Halloween.

Need a training manual for raising your teenage daughter?

Tags: Adsense, contraceptives, Cosmo Girl, cyberbulling, depressed kids, dorm decorating, Dr. Robyn Silverman, energy drinks, food dyes, Ford, Google, Halloween, Hearst, internet port, internet videos on drugs, LA Times, Mis Quince, MSNBC, MTV Britney Spears, MyKey, Newsweek, NY Times, parenting-teens, Parents for Ethical Marketing, PC World, Pets, pregnancy pact, same-sex marriage, school bullying, soda in school, Teen Checkup, University of Pennsylvania, USA Today, Wharton School

[Parent Dish] Andrew Lloyd Webber's kids won't inherit his money

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:00:00 PDT

Filed under: Money & work, Life & style, Celeb parenting

When your dad is worth $750 million, you might expect to never have to worry about money again. But Andrew Lloyd Webber's kids aren't getting a free pass from their dad. In a recent interview Webber revealed that he doesn't plan on giving his fortune to his kids when he dies.

Instead, the king of musicals will likely be donating the money toward helping kids around the world succeed in the arts. "(A will) is one thing you do start to think about when you get to my age. I don't think it should be about having a whole load of rich children and grandchildren. I think it should be used as a way to encourage the arts."

Webber acknowledges that since his wife Madeleine will likely outlive him, it'll be up to her to decide exactly how the money is spent and the company is run. And while kids Imogen, 31, Nicholas, 29, Alastair, 16, William, 15, and Isabella, 12, won't be inheriting their dad's giant fortune, Webber says they'll be taken care of nonetheless.

View Poll

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[What's That Smell?] Playtex Infant Care - NEW VentAire 100% BPA-free

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:41:04 PDT

As much as technology and advancements have made parents lives easier, there is also an aspect of our current culture that is confusing for parents and has us facing decisions that parents even 5 years ago didn’t face. Science has advanced us to a stage where we have discovered that some of the things [...]

[Parent Dish] Google's Street View puts children in danger?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:00:00 PDT

Filed under: Toddlers, Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Health & safety, In the news

Thanks to Google's Street View, anyone with an Internet connection can virtually tour the streets of cities across the United States. The tool allows you to see 360° images of neighborhoods just as if you were driving down that very street. It's a unique way to get an up-close and personal look at places like Times Square in New York and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. But Street View also lets users get up-close and personal looks at homes, schools and playgrounds. And those views, says a children's advocacy group, put kids at risk.

Stop Internet Predators has asked Google to remove the city of Pittsburgh from Street View because they say that images showing kids, toys and family cars make it easier for pedophiles to find potential victims. A spokesperson for Google says they have a process in which users may request certain images be blurred or removed from Street View, but Stop Internet Predators executive Director Stacie Rumenap says that isn't good enough.

"We want parents to have the opportunity to safeguard their children and for them to have the level of privacy and security they deserve," she said. "Our children's safety should always be the No. 1 concern when allowing a new technology to come into our neighborhoods, and putting the burden on parents to opt out of the system seems unacceptable."

Although Rumenap acknowledges that there have been no crimes against children attributed to Street View, she still thinks it should go offline until all images that might identify where children live, study or play are removed. I am not sure how this could realistically be accomplished, but Rumenap's group is actively pursuing that goal in several other cities as well. I've never used Street View for anything other than wasting time online and wouldn't care one way or the other if it went away. But does showing actual images of schools, playgrounds and homes really put children at higher risk of being victimized? Or is this just pedophile paranoia?

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[The Mommy Designers Blog] Emilie Pants & Pattern Giveaway

littlebuttercups — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:18:00 PDT

Sew Chic Project - Easy Fit Pants

My daughter Emilie fell in love with a pair of ruffle pants that we found online that were selling for $98.00 dollars. Now times this by three and that does not fair well during these well umm, hard times. So getting a chance to make this pattern was all about Emilie and her pursuit to have red ruffle pants that matched her red and blue cherry rain boots!

The pattern is the "Easy-Fit" Pants for Girls & Boys Sizes 1-10 including doll pattern (I'm thinking a matching set of pants for Bitty Baby for a Christmas present) from YouCanMakeThis.com. The pattern is super easy! There are no side seams, equals less sewing time and less serging (overlock) time! A huge plus in my house when everything has to be made in threes. No alterations were needed in the waist or seat area. Again a huge plus here since my daughters all lack in the tooshie zone. The only change I made was the ruffles instead of the cuff. Made the pants from the pattern, very roomy in the leg, perfect for the look that we were going for and took the cuff pattern; doubled it in length and made the top ruffle 3" wide and the bottom ruffle 4 and 1/4" wide. Made these pants in under two hours along with a few trips to the kitchen for snack and juice time and switching out laundry.

So what do we think Sew Chic Chickie's? I think they are a great wardrobe builder and we're sure to see a pair of these in each season.

Now on to the giveaway of goodies! Just hop on over to YouCanMakeThis.com and pop on back over here tell us what you think? There will be two winners of the Easy Fit Pants announced Saturday, October 18th. Also looking for the next project ideas! Thinking "Sew Chic Handmade Christmas". Please don't be shy, let me what you would like to see next and lets see what we can make for Christmas! Yes, this is a challenge!

Happy sewing to all,

[Parent Dish] An alternative to spanking

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:00:00 PDT

Filed under: Newborns, Babies, Health & safety, Resources

The spanking debate has been duked out repeatedly and will probably continue to be waged so long as people keep having kids. There was the California lawmaker who tried to ban it, but it seems that folks around here see it overwhelmingly as discipline rather than abuse. Me, I'm against it, but that's mostly because I'm very anti-violence.

Cathy Sorbo, a Seattle, Washington stand-up comedienne and mother, is on the non-spanking side as well and has written a column for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on the matter after a woman was arrested for abandoning her newborn baby near a church in the middle of the night. More than just opposing spanking, Sorbo offers an alternative: tickling.

"You can carefully and skillfully overpower your child and inflict torture in a dominant fashion," she explains, "but instead of crying and fear, you will elicit shrieks of laughter." She notes, also, that there are disciplinary advantages too -- "you'll find your child to be more receptive to your concerns after you have both had a good giggle."

I don't know how effective a method of discipline tickling would turn out to be, but it sure seems a lot healthier and happier than spanking. As Sorbo says, "Laughter is healing. Spanking is not."

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