In June we...
Had our first dance recital
Crafted
Completed our first swim lessons
In July we...
Worked on our coloring skills
Put on a show
Danced ballet
Tormented the cat
Went to the county fair
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Have a little girl?
Check out the Isabella series by Jennifer Fosberry.
Isabella received the first book, My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream?, as a gift from my aunt and we both loved it. In the story the little girl imagines she is several prominent women in history such as Sally Ride, Marie Curie, and Rosa Parks. No pink, frilly princesses to be seen.
The second book, Isabella: Girl on the Go, came out last year was less impressive for me, but Isabella still requests it often. I'm sure the fact that her name is in the title doesn't hurt. This one has the main character imagining herself going to famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, and Chichen Itza. This story also features the father, whereas the first one featured the mother.
The third book, Isabella: Star of the Story, comes out in April land I've already pre-ordered it on Amazon. This one features Isabella imagining herself as characters from classic children's literature. I am seriously excited about this one!
I would really recommend checking these books out if you're sick of princesses and would like to read a book that is about more than marrying a handsome prince. Each of the books also has a reference guide in the back explaining each person or place portrayed in the book. This section is particularly helpful when he tells you he's never heard of Chichen Itza.
And no, I didn't receive anything for recommending the books. I just happen to love them and thought you might too.
Isabella received the first book, My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream?, as a gift from my aunt and we both loved it. In the story the little girl imagines she is several prominent women in history such as Sally Ride, Marie Curie, and Rosa Parks. No pink, frilly princesses to be seen.
The second book, Isabella: Girl on the Go, came out last year was less impressive for me, but Isabella still requests it often. I'm sure the fact that her name is in the title doesn't hurt. This one has the main character imagining herself going to famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, and Chichen Itza. This story also features the father, whereas the first one featured the mother.
The third book, Isabella: Star of the Story, comes out in April land I've already pre-ordered it on Amazon. This one features Isabella imagining herself as characters from classic children's literature. I am seriously excited about this one!
I would really recommend checking these books out if you're sick of princesses and would like to read a book that is about more than marrying a handsome prince. Each of the books also has a reference guide in the back explaining each person or place portrayed in the book. This section is particularly helpful when he tells you he's never heard of Chichen Itza.
And no, I didn't receive anything for recommending the books. I just happen to love them and thought you might too.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
No, I didn't forget Menu Monday there's a reason I haven't posted. I was sick for most of last week so I didn't really cook and everything from last week has been pushed back to this week.
Isabella was very sweet and helpful while I was sick and she was rewarded with a fun weekend. We bought her a tee-ball set and Daddy taught her how to hit. She also attended her cousin Griffin's first birthday party (She went went on about it for days beforehand) and we set up her pool for the first time this year on Sunday.
Isabella was very sweet and helpful while I was sick and she was rewarded with a fun weekend. We bought her a tee-ball set and Daddy taught her how to hit. She also attended her cousin Griffin's first birthday party (She went went on about it for days beforehand) and we set up her pool for the first time this year on Sunday.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
More Pinspirations
We took on a couple small, Pinterest-inspired projects this weekend. Well, mostly Clint since I wasn't feeling well. Boo.
First up, we have dress-up storage, made from an old dresser and a curtain tension rod. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but was worried we wouldn't have room for it. Well, the dresser has been sitting in the garage for a few months waiting to be donated, so I thought we'd go for it. We went ahead and put it in her closet since she's so proficient at opening doors now.
First up, we have dress-up storage, made from an old dresser and a curtain tension rod. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but was worried we wouldn't have room for it. Well, the dresser has been sitting in the garage for a few months waiting to be donated, so I thought we'd go for it. We went ahead and put it in her closet since she's so proficient at opening doors now.
Inspiration found here.
I looked for pretty contact paper to line the sides and the bottom, but couldn't find any. I think I might try some fabric instead.
Isabella was very excited to put her dress-up items in here. Now we just need to buy more.
Inspiration found here.
We also painted the ugly brass hardware on all our interior doors. I've always wanted to replace them, but cost really adds up with all of the doors and I've always found better uses for the money. I have no idea if these will hold up well, but it only took one can of primer and one can of oil rubbed bronze spray paint, so I figured it was worth a shot. We had already painted the brass light fixtures to hold us over until we could replace them all. That's the thing about being a homeowner, even when there isn't anything that NEEDS replaced, you can always find something you WANT to replace.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
March for Babies 2011
Isabella and I participated in the March for Babies last Saturday. We arrived shortly after 8 am to turn in our donations since we were supposed to meet our team at 8:30 and the walk was to begin at 9. Well, we had trouble locating our team because many were busy volunteering at the event and others were late. Although the walk was advertised to start at 9 am they soon announced that it was starting at 9:30. Isabella got a bit antsy sitting in the stroller, and I didn't want to leave the area since we were waiting for out teammates. I also didn't want to put her down because there were so many people.
Eventually, we found our teammates and the walk began. Isabella did so well on the walk and at one point near the end she started singing. People started to turn back and wave at her and she got a little shy and stopped for a while.
She only let me get one photo before the walk. We're still waiting on the team photo to be posted.
A BIG thanks to everyone who sponsored us! We more than doubled our goal!
Eventually, we found our teammates and the walk began. Isabella did so well on the walk and at one point near the end she started singing. People started to turn back and wave at her and she got a little shy and stopped for a while.
She only let me get one photo before the walk. We're still waiting on the team photo to be posted.
A BIG thanks to everyone who sponsored us! We more than doubled our goal!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Menu Monday
Sunday- Daddy was working and all Isabella wanted to eat was a banana. Ah, toddlerhood.
Monday- sloppy joes + corn + sweet potato fried (Not my cup of teat, but it's easy and Isabella will be thrilled)
Tuesday- stuffed shells + garlic bread
Wednesday- leftovers
Thursday- quesadilla casserole + rice
Friday- seasoned chicken breast + crash hot potatoes + green beans
Saturday- burgers + baked beans + oven fries (didn't make it to the table last week)
Monday- sloppy joes + corn + sweet potato fried (Not my cup of teat, but it's easy and Isabella will be thrilled)
Tuesday- stuffed shells + garlic bread
Wednesday- leftovers
Thursday- quesadilla casserole + rice
Friday- seasoned chicken breast + crash hot potatoes + green beans
Saturday- burgers + baked beans + oven fries (didn't make it to the table last week)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Car Seat Safety
You may or may not know that I'm pretty anal about car seat safety. I wiggle Isabella's car seat regularly to make sure it is secure and doesn't move more than an inch in any direction, I re-adjust the straps every time I buckle her in, and I always ensure that the chest clip is at armpit level. I don't use additional car seat accessories and she never wears her bulky coat in the car seat. She has also always been rear-facing and will remain so as long as her car seat allows (35 lbs and until her head is within an inch from the top of her seat).
Children are proven to be safer when rear-facing. Even adults would be safer rear-facing, but it's obviously not an option for us. The AAP recently revised it's recommendations on car seats to the following:
"The AAP advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age."
I found a great, albeit sad, video on Youtube that demonstrates the difference in impact on rear-facing vs forward-facing seats. I encourage all parents to watch it before switching their child to a forward-facing seat.
To read the full release from the AAP visit this link.
Children are proven to be safer when rear-facing. Even adults would be safer rear-facing, but it's obviously not an option for us. The AAP recently revised it's recommendations on car seats to the following:
"The AAP advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age."
I found a great, albeit sad, video on Youtube that demonstrates the difference in impact on rear-facing vs forward-facing seats. I encourage all parents to watch it before switching their child to a forward-facing seat.
To read the full release from the AAP visit this link.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
March for Babies 2011
Some of you may remember that I signed up to walk in last year's March for Babies. That day wound up being very drizzly and the possibility of rain scared me out of taking Isabella. I wound up not walking myself because I was worried that she'd need to nurse and wasn't sure how long the walk would take. I dropped off my donations and came back home, disappointed.
I've signed up again this year and plan to walk, rain or shine. I'll be sure to get Isabella a cute raincoats and rainboots just in case. :)
We would really appreciate your support of his wonderful cause. At the right you'll find a handy tool to make donating easy. Help us start of on the right foot!
I've signed up again this year and plan to walk, rain or shine. I'll be sure to get Isabella a cute raincoats and rainboots just in case. :)
We would really appreciate your support of his wonderful cause. At the right you'll find a handy tool to make donating easy. Help us start of on the right foot!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year's Resolutions
*Note: No, I did not forget about Christmas. We still have one family Christmas celebrations left, so I'm waiting to post about them all at once.
I've never been big on New Year's resolutions. I don't think I've ever made one. However, I've been trying to slowly transition to a more eco-friendly, cost-effective lifestyle. I've had several ideas for ways to do this, so I think these could be sort of a New Year's resolution for me. I've come up with 12 changes (one for each month) that I'd like to implement this year. The sewing machine I received for Christmas will come in handy for many of these. :)
1. Install a programmable thermostat. (Completed as of yesterday!)
2. Cut back on paper towels and napkins by converting to "un-paper" towels and cloth napkins.
3. Buy a steam mop. Ok, so this one is sort of give and take in the eco-friendly department. It will eliminate the use of chemicals, but it runs on electricity. Ultimately, my floors are not getting clean enough so I'm biting the bullet on this one.
4. Make re-usable refills for my Swiiffer duster and sweeper.
5. Buy a new water heater. Our current one sucks so I can only imagine that a newer model would save on our energy costs.
6. Install a water softener. This is another I'm not entirely sure of, but I figure it will save on soaps/detergents.
7. Start using a rain barrel.
8. Plant a vegetable/herb garden.
9. Install an eco-flow showerhead. I've been wanting a new one anyway, so this is a no-brainer.
10. Be more proactive about recycling. We already recycle quite a bit and have really cut back on our trash each week, but I think there are still plenty of things winding up in the garbage that could easily be recycled.
11. Reusable sandwich bags. Let's just hope Clint can remember to bring them home rather than throw them away.
12. Repurposing unwanted items. I always see these fabulous projects people create from stuff lying around the house. I need to work on this.
What about you? What are your New Year's resolutions?
I've never been big on New Year's resolutions. I don't think I've ever made one. However, I've been trying to slowly transition to a more eco-friendly, cost-effective lifestyle. I've had several ideas for ways to do this, so I think these could be sort of a New Year's resolution for me. I've come up with 12 changes (one for each month) that I'd like to implement this year. The sewing machine I received for Christmas will come in handy for many of these. :)
1. Install a programmable thermostat. (Completed as of yesterday!)
2. Cut back on paper towels and napkins by converting to "un-paper" towels and cloth napkins.
3. Buy a steam mop. Ok, so this one is sort of give and take in the eco-friendly department. It will eliminate the use of chemicals, but it runs on electricity. Ultimately, my floors are not getting clean enough so I'm biting the bullet on this one.
4. Make re-usable refills for my Swiiffer duster and sweeper.
5. Buy a new water heater. Our current one sucks so I can only imagine that a newer model would save on our energy costs.
6. Install a water softener. This is another I'm not entirely sure of, but I figure it will save on soaps/detergents.
7. Start using a rain barrel.
8. Plant a vegetable/herb garden.
9. Install an eco-flow showerhead. I've been wanting a new one anyway, so this is a no-brainer.
10. Be more proactive about recycling. We already recycle quite a bit and have really cut back on our trash each week, but I think there are still plenty of things winding up in the garbage that could easily be recycled.
11. Reusable sandwich bags. Let's just hope Clint can remember to bring them home rather than throw them away.
12. Repurposing unwanted items. I always see these fabulous projects people create from stuff lying around the house. I need to work on this.
What about you? What are your New Year's resolutions?
Saturday, November 13, 2010
"Tis the Season
Holiday card season that is! I'm starting to think about what style of holiday card I'd like to send out this year. Last year, we used Shutterfly and I planned on using them again. Lo and behold a promotion from Shutterfly offering 50 free holiday cards, and all I have to do is blog about how much I love them? Done.
Like I said, last year I ordered our holiday cards from Shutterfly and had a very good experience. I've also ordered prints from them several times in the past. I love their card designs because they have such a variety, traditional to contemporary, elegant to whimsical. It's so hard to choose!
Seriously, how cute is this?!
And it's not just holiday cards, they offer cards for a variety of occasions: birth announcements, party invitations, and thank you cards to name a few. A lot of their products make great gifts, like their canvas prints.
So check them out, and bloggers don't forget, Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010.
Like I said, last year I ordered our holiday cards from Shutterfly and had a very good experience. I've also ordered prints from them several times in the past. I love their card designs because they have such a variety, traditional to contemporary, elegant to whimsical. It's so hard to choose!
Seriously, how cute is this?!
And it's not just holiday cards, they offer cards for a variety of occasions: birth announcements, party invitations, and thank you cards to name a few. A lot of their products make great gifts, like their canvas prints.
So check them out, and bloggers don't forget, Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Great Outdoors
We've hit a bit of a rough patch in our house. I can feel six new teeth under Isabella's gums, Clint's classes started up again last week, and I've started looking for part-time evening/weekend work (which is depressing for a number of reasons). I thought I'd share a few photos I took last week while playing outside. Isabella LOVES being outdoors. She's fascinated by plants, and now rocks. Maybe she'll be a Botanist or a Geologist? I wanted to take her to Horticulture Park this weekend, but Saturday was rainy and there was no way I'd be able to drag Clint away from the tv on the first Sunday of football season. You'll have to settle for photos of her playing in our front yard.
Checking out one of the bushes
"Ooh rocks!"
"I better get in there for a closer look."
"I think this would look better over here."
Her little collection
"Oh, hi Mom!"
Sporting her White Sox cap. Clint bought this the day we found out we were having a girl, and it's finally starting to fit!
Checking out one of the bushes
"Ooh rocks!"
"I better get in there for a closer look."
"I think this would look better over here."
Her little collection
"Oh, hi Mom!"
Friday, April 9, 2010
Mommy and Isabella are teething together!
Well, kind of. While Isabella is working on cutting her second tooth I realized today that my top left wisdom tooth has started to come in. Fortunately, it hasn't bothered me at all. I wouldn't even know it was there if I hadn't felt it with my tongue. My first wisdom tooth (top right) started to come in right after our wedding and still hasn't completely descended, but it hasn't b0thered me either. Let's hope it stays that way. Isabella doesn't need a mommy hopped up on pain meds!
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