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Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Another Cloth Diaper
So, if you remember my friend Heather sparked my interest in cloth diapering. I have since been using cloth diapers on occasion. Mostly on the days that I know we are not leaving the house. I am still afraid to use them while we are out and about.
Anyway, I've been wanting to make another rrp but using more than just flannel as I had before since I wanted to be able to use it without a cover. Heather had suggested using PUL which is waterproof, but it's hard to find and fairly expensive. She also suggested wool and fleece. Fleece seemed the best option to me for experimenting.
Then there was the issue of the closure. Without using a cover, I would need to securely fasten the diaper closed. A snappi would not be safe because J could pull on it and hurt himself. I could use a pin but we all know I am no good at pinning. So, I opted for Velcro.
I found some fleece in a remnant bin at the fabric store and already had elastic and Velcro on hand so I set to work. I used flannel for the interior with the fleece on the exterior.
It needs work. First off, I completely forgot to do the top stitching - duh! Second, I need to attach another piece of Velcro on the front wing so I can pull the diaper tighter for a more snug fit. Thirdly, I think I should add a small strip of elastic in the back - again to make a more snug fit.
Like I said, it still needs work but I think I am on way to coming up with something that
I can use as easily as a disposable.
Anyway, I've been wanting to make another rrp but using more than just flannel as I had before since I wanted to be able to use it without a cover. Heather had suggested using PUL which is waterproof, but it's hard to find and fairly expensive. She also suggested wool and fleece. Fleece seemed the best option to me for experimenting.
Then there was the issue of the closure. Without using a cover, I would need to securely fasten the diaper closed. A snappi would not be safe because J could pull on it and hurt himself. I could use a pin but we all know I am no good at pinning. So, I opted for Velcro.
I found some fleece in a remnant bin at the fabric store and already had elastic and Velcro on hand so I set to work. I used flannel for the interior with the fleece on the exterior.
Like I said, it still needs work but I think I am on way to coming up with something that
I can use as easily as a disposable.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tiny Tots Field Day
Gigi attends a program called Tiny Tots. It is a free preschool-like program for 2-5 year olds ran by the parks department. She attends class at local park two day a week for two hours a day. It's really for social interaction more than academics. We cover much more at home than they do there.
Anyway, this is her second year. Normally toward the end of the "school" year all the tiny tots classes from the entire county get together for "Tiny Tot Olympics". It's a fun day with lots of little obstacle courses for the kids and at the end of the day, everyone gets a medal for participating. Gigi had a blast last year.
Gardenville Troop 2008
Tiny Tot Olympics Medal 2008
Unfortunately, this year due to the all the budget cuts, there will be no Tiny tot Olympics. Instead Gigi's class got together with one other for a field day. They tried to make it similar to the Tiny Tot Olympics, but on a smaller scale.
They still had several little obstacle courses set up, but everyone just kind of did whatever they wanted.
They had a "jumpy thing" (what Gigi calls it) and a huge inflatable slide as well. Gigi LOVES these things so she was thrilled about that.
While it was smaller and there were much less kids than last year and no medal at the end, it was still fun!
We even squeezed in some playground time so J could get on his first public park swing!
Anyway, this is her second year. Normally toward the end of the "school" year all the tiny tots classes from the entire county get together for "Tiny Tot Olympics". It's a fun day with lots of little obstacle courses for the kids and at the end of the day, everyone gets a medal for participating. Gigi had a blast last year.
Gardenville Troop 2008
Tiny Tot Olympics Medal 2008
Unfortunately, this year due to the all the budget cuts, there will be no Tiny tot Olympics. Instead Gigi's class got together with one other for a field day. They tried to make it similar to the Tiny Tot Olympics, but on a smaller scale.
They still had several little obstacle courses set up, but everyone just kind of did whatever they wanted.
They had a "jumpy thing" (what Gigi calls it) and a huge inflatable slide as well. Gigi LOVES these things so she was thrilled about that.
While it was smaller and there were much less kids than last year and no medal at the end, it was still fun!
We even squeezed in some playground time so J could get on his first public park swing!
Chuck E. Cheese
While I went shopping the doubles sale at Kmart, hubby and Gig played at Chuck E Cheese next door.
Think she had fun??
Think she had fun??
Another Great Shopping Trip
K-Mart is doing DOUBLE COUPONS this week!! I am super excited about this - I've never done "doubles" shopping before.
So, yesterday, Hubby and Gigi hung out at Chuck E. Cheese while J and I went to the K-Mart next door.
Here's what I got:
2 Vaseline Lotion
4 Nature's Source Cleaners
4 Febreeze Air Effects
1 Glade Carpet
3 Pledge Dusters
3 Listerine
1 Sani-Hands wipes
2 Hormel Compleats meals
6 (2-packs) baby food
Grand total....
$10.25 - including tax!!!
Woohoo!!!
So, yesterday, Hubby and Gigi hung out at Chuck E. Cheese while J and I went to the K-Mart next door.
Here's what I got:
2 Vaseline Lotion
4 Nature's Source Cleaners
4 Febreeze Air Effects
1 Glade Carpet
3 Pledge Dusters
3 Listerine
1 Sani-Hands wipes
2 Hormel Compleats meals
6 (2-packs) baby food
Grand total....
$10.25 - including tax!!!
Woohoo!!!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sippy Cup
Today we bought J his very own sippy cup! He is almost big enough to start having juice, so we thought we would let him practice drinking from his cup. We gave him some water and let him have at it!
He was quite proud of himself!
He was quite proud of himself!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Day
On the eve of Easter Sunday, we set out baskets for both kids - empty of course - so the bunny rabbit would come fill them up. And wouldn't you know, those lucky two were surprised by a couple of very full baskets in the morning!
Gigi was quite pleased with everything she received; the bubbles, the wind up fish toy, the bicycle riding bunny, sunglasses, lip gloss and oh yeah..tons of candy!
J's basket was quite different. He got 4 jars of stage 1 baby food (green beans and peas), a toy hammer that makes sounds when you pound it on something and a pair of rattle booties. Great basket for a 5 month old in my opinion. :)
After going through the treasures in their baskets, we got ready for Church. After service we went straight home to get ready for family to arrive.
I made a ham, green beans, asparagus, mashed potatoes, a green salad and we had rolls.
Oh, and we gave J asparagus for the first time and he LOVED it!
After eating, the kids got to tear through yet MORE baskets that were given to them from family.
Then it was time for the Easter egg hunt!
We had to keep reminding Gigi that there was candy in the eggs so she would keep looking for them! She did pretty well for herself in the end.
After all that excitement, everyone just hung out for a while and the kids played. Even J got in some socializing!
Gigi was quite pleased with everything she received; the bubbles, the wind up fish toy, the bicycle riding bunny, sunglasses, lip gloss and oh yeah..tons of candy!
J's basket was quite different. He got 4 jars of stage 1 baby food (green beans and peas), a toy hammer that makes sounds when you pound it on something and a pair of rattle booties. Great basket for a 5 month old in my opinion. :)
After going through the treasures in their baskets, we got ready for Church. After service we went straight home to get ready for family to arrive.
I made a ham, green beans, asparagus, mashed potatoes, a green salad and we had rolls.
Oh, and we gave J asparagus for the first time and he LOVED it!
After eating, the kids got to tear through yet MORE baskets that were given to them from family.
Then it was time for the Easter egg hunt!
We had to keep reminding Gigi that there was candy in the eggs so she would keep looking for them! She did pretty well for herself in the end.
After all that excitement, everyone just hung out for a while and the kids played. Even J got in some socializing!
Walker Experience
So today we busted out Gig's old walker from the attic. First off I have to say - I'm quite proud that we were able to preserve it so well. I think it looks brand new!
Anyhow, J didn't actually move much in it, but he enjoyed playing with all the attached toys.
Anyhow, J didn't actually move much in it, but he enjoyed playing with all the attached toys.
Jumpy Boy
My mom bought this horse for J for Christmas. He is now finally big enough to use and he loves it!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He has Risen! Mark 16:6
There's a story that started on Christmas,
When a baby was born in the night
And those who came far - who followed the star
Were seeing a heavenly sight.
the years hurried by, and the boy, now a man,
Could make the blind see with the touch of his hand.
He was born to be King - he was Rabbi and Priest.
But the best that he had, he gave to the least.
He was born and he died - almost 2000 years ago.
He laughed and he cried - he felt all the fears we know.
He hated injustice - he taught what was right.
He said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Light."
His friends soon believed that he was the One,
The Savior, Messiah;in fact, God's own Son.
But others, they doubted, they did not agree.
So they took him, they tried, he died on a tree.
God has made a way for all who mourn and grieve.
Death will never be the end, if you just believe.
There's nothing to fear, nothing heaven knows.
For he died for us to give us life,
and to give us hope,
He rose.
When a baby was born in the night
And those who came far - who followed the star
Were seeing a heavenly sight.
the years hurried by, and the boy, now a man,
Could make the blind see with the touch of his hand.
He was born to be King - he was Rabbi and Priest.
But the best that he had, he gave to the least.
He was born and he died - almost 2000 years ago.
He laughed and he cried - he felt all the fears we know.
He hated injustice - he taught what was right.
He said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Light."
His friends soon believed that he was the One,
The Savior, Messiah;in fact, God's own Son.
But others, they doubted, they did not agree.
So they took him, they tried, he died on a tree.
God has made a way for all who mourn and grieve.
Death will never be the end, if you just believe.
There's nothing to fear, nothing heaven knows.
For he died for us to give us life,
and to give us hope,
He rose.
- Cindy Kenney from "An Easter Carol"
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Curious About Candy
This is what happens when a shiny wrapper catches the eye of a five month old.
And, no, we didn't let him keep it!
And, no, we didn't let him keep it!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Easter Eggs!
Today we dyed Easter eggs.
This is actually our first year dying eggs at our house. We did solid colored eggs first. Then we used the same white crayon technique that we had used on the paper eggs for our garland. We wrote things like "Hoppy Easter", "2009" and "J's First Easter". Gigi just drew on crazy designs.
This is actually our first year dying eggs at our house. We did solid colored eggs first. Then we used the same white crayon technique that we had used on the paper eggs for our garland. We wrote things like "Hoppy Easter", "2009" and "J's First Easter". Gigi just drew on crazy designs.
Peter Rabbit
Yesterday our local library had a puppet show about "Peter Rabbit", the naughty little bunny created by Beatrix Potter. Did you know that book was written over 100 years ago?? Crazy!
Anyway, the show was performed by one puppeteer. Gigi enjoyed herself and behaved through the entire thing. Hubby said J was actually watching also!
When the show was over they handed out a craft to each child. It was to make two stick puppets and a stage. Gigi colored in her puppets, cut them out and attached the straws to their backs completely on her own!
I was quite proud - especially when I saw some other kids that were obviously older than her having their mom do the cutting and taping of the straws. Not that we are supposed to compare our child to others, right? Oops.
It was a fun, free outing.
Anyway, the show was performed by one puppeteer. Gigi enjoyed herself and behaved through the entire thing. Hubby said J was actually watching also!
When the show was over they handed out a craft to each child. It was to make two stick puppets and a stage. Gigi colored in her puppets, cut them out and attached the straws to their backs completely on her own!
I was quite proud - especially when I saw some other kids that were obviously older than her having their mom do the cutting and taping of the straws. Not that we are supposed to compare our child to others, right? Oops.
It was a fun, free outing.
Easter Crafting
This week Gig and I have been reading tons of Easter books, watching Easter movies and making Easter crafts. It's been a fun and full week - and we still have more to do before Sunday!
We made a basket using some yarn, white glue and a balloon.
It's not very sturdy, but it's a fun decoration for our table. It was really messy making it though so I didn't get any pics of the whole process.
It was fun though!
We also made an Easter egg garland. I cut the egg shapes using my fantastic Cricut machine. We then used a white crayon and drew designs on the white eggs. When we painted the eggs with watercolors, our designs "magically" appeared! Gigi thought this was "pretty cool".
I had ordered some foam character crafts from Oriental Trading when they got clearanced out last year and saved them - I only paid about $1 each package (and each craft usually brings a dozen). So I dug them out of the craft cabinet this week. We made some foam bunnies and foam chicks. Even daddy helped!
They come with suction cups and you're supposed to stick them to windows but I haven't figured out how exactly to do that just yet. I'll hang them up somehow.
We also made a little sign to hang on our front door. Gigi really impressed me with this one. She glued all the craft sticks together herself (it's supposed to be a fence). She colored the rabbit and glued on his eye and tail all by hereself and colored the eggs. I can't believe how great she is getting at coloring! I cut the rabbit out, wrote "Happy Easter" and attached the string to hang it.
We stil have other crafts planned but I don't know if we will get to them all.
We made a basket using some yarn, white glue and a balloon.
It's not very sturdy, but it's a fun decoration for our table. It was really messy making it though so I didn't get any pics of the whole process.
It was fun though!
We also made an Easter egg garland. I cut the egg shapes using my fantastic Cricut machine. We then used a white crayon and drew designs on the white eggs. When we painted the eggs with watercolors, our designs "magically" appeared! Gigi thought this was "pretty cool".
I had ordered some foam character crafts from Oriental Trading when they got clearanced out last year and saved them - I only paid about $1 each package (and each craft usually brings a dozen). So I dug them out of the craft cabinet this week. We made some foam bunnies and foam chicks. Even daddy helped!
They come with suction cups and you're supposed to stick them to windows but I haven't figured out how exactly to do that just yet. I'll hang them up somehow.
We also made a little sign to hang on our front door. Gigi really impressed me with this one. She glued all the craft sticks together herself (it's supposed to be a fence). She colored the rabbit and glued on his eye and tail all by hereself and colored the eggs. I can't believe how great she is getting at coloring! I cut the rabbit out, wrote "Happy Easter" and attached the string to hang it.
We stil have other crafts planned but I don't know if we will get to them all.
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