Welcome 2009

Photo credit - Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House during New Year's celebrations in the Australian city on Thursday. (Rob Griffith/Associated Press)

What a great way to start off the New Year! Top 13 things that we are planning for 2009.

1.) Get new bedroom furniture and change to a king size bed and get boys a bunk bed set.
2.) Go to BlogHer '09 in Chicago.
3.) Get the toddler potty trained so he will be ready to start a school program.
4.) Scan inventory with xrf for general conformity certification.
5.) Bring our garment printing in house.
6.) Figure out what to do with our vehicle situation.
7.) Get the van fixed from our fender bender and get the case settled.
8.) Get our house painted.
9.) Finish the paper work for the insurance reimbursement from Hurricane Ike.
10.) Family vacation this year?
11.) Upgrade our computers. Mine can no longer handle my mounds of multi-tasking. Show me a computer that can run Excel, FireFox, Blip.fm, Twitter, PhotoShop, Quicken and TextPad at the same time without stalling. ;)
12.) Remove the carpet and get some nice hardwood floors and tile in the kitchen and bathroom.
13.) Take care of outstanding accounting issues.
I'm not asking for much. Wish me luck on my list.

Happy New Year's Eve

Hey Lori thank for following! My dh and I decided to start the New Year out right. We bought bedroom furniture for us and the kids. We are taking advantage of Rooms To Go no payments until 2012. What did we decide?
For the kids we are going with this bunk bed set. I love the idea of the steps instead of a ladder first and foremost. The bottom is a full size bed and that's great for when they have sleep overs. The steps on the way to the top bunk are also drawers! How cool is that for storage? We opted to get the dresser but not the mirror and we also bought an extra chest of drawers. I can't wait and I think the kids will be really happy with this new set up. For us we decided to go with this bedroom furniture set. We love the sleigh bed and the dark wood. The dresser and night stands have a marble top. We really like that option. Did I mention we are moving up from a queen to a king size? Oh yes, have you seen all these kids we have? We have to make room when they come to pile up on us in the mornings. My dh made it very clear we weren't buying any furniture with Cindy Crawford's name on it. lol - He got over that. I wonder if he knows that we are going to have to buy all new bedding? Any suggestions? Happy New Year everyone.

Leg Huggers - Win a pair!

When Leg Huggers announced their new line coming out I had to have a look for myself and WOW are they cute! I really love the photos and look of their website. I have never used any type of leg huggers before with any of my previous children. I didn't understand the need for them or their use until my followers on Twitter schooled me! Many Moms told me that they are great for keeping babies legs warm around the house. Also they aid in the ease for quick diaper changing which is a big plus and they are great for a little crawlers knees. Leg Huggers have designed these for little girls on the move! I couldn't wait to offer a review of their product. My hubby does the Maniac song with all the kids from Flash Dance. They all love it and we caught it on tape for your viewing pleasure. Our Leg Huggers came from Canada yesterday and they added an extra pair to share with my readers. How great is that? You are going to love the packaging and all the benefits of this product. Leg Huggers are made with bamboo and they are so soft! Agoo Apparel has really outdone themselves with these "...accessories made especially for cute and cuddly legs." Ready to win a pair of bows delight?

Visit Leg Huggers and come back and tell me your favorite pair!

Want an extra entry?
Follow them on Twitter and tell them I sent you.

This contest will be open world wide and will end @ 11:59pm on 1/5/09 and the winner will be chosen at random and announced right here on this post by 10:00am cst 1/6/09. Good Luck!

And the winner is..............
rbuscemi chose lucky #3

Storm, The Psychotic Housewife (Check me out!) said... 3

I like the leopard pink :)

Congratulations and thanks for playing along!

Wordless Wednesday - Big Kid (LEGOS)

Who Am I?- Day 17

What's my name? I need more sleep. I'm doing well to think straight when I can. I wish I was taking a vacation. I haven't left this city in a LONG time. I would like to visit some place new. I'm really partial to places like New York and Tennessee. Where should I go? Graceland? That would be fun. I hope I get to see it some day. I hope you guys enjoy the Leg Huggers post. That was a lot of fun!

Tuesday Toot Meme #23

What a week! I'm in the land of potty training. Today we had several accidents but that was my fault. I made the mistake of trying to cover the boy up. He went on his own 4 times today. He's currently passed out on the floor right next to me. lol - He and I have had a long day. Toot Toot to me for not losing my mind while potty training.

Outback Steakhouse - On The House!

We LOVE the Outback Steakhouse restaurant but tonight's experience was the worst! My dh and I received a couple of gift cards to Outback Steakhouse for Christmas. We rarely get to eat out because it's expensive, it has to be the right time of day and it's hard with all the kids. Tonight though we were going to hit the dinner hour at 6pm and go for it. We arrived and sat at the table for 10 minutes before the waiter came. We went ahead and ordered and the waiter came back with mine and dh's drinks but not milk for our boys (Mistake #1). Our boy ordered some fries with his meal. The assistant manager came to the table and told us there was something wrong with the fryer no fries. Fine no big deal just order something else and when she passed by again we asked her to bring our kids milk (Mistake #2). Thirty minutes passed and there isn't any salads. Finally someone else delivers the meal. We are wondering where the salads are and why weren't they served? (Mistake #3) My dh and I don't complain or give waiters a hard time but this was NOT cool at all. The manager comes to the table we talk for a while about these issues and he wants to make it right. I don't know what happened to be honest. It was just one thing after another. The manager Zack gave us our meal for free and we got to keep our gift cards. For me to have a nice dining experience, please take care of the kids needs! I take care of them all day please just bring the extra napkins get the drinks and their food so I can have a peaceful meal. Seriously! I always tip extra if the server does that! ;)

We will be back again but I don't think it will be any time soon.

Potty Training Boot Camp - Day 18

My morning was filled with pee. I don't care how you slice it my kids decided to start my morning out right. This is how it went down with the one of them. lol
Toddler: 7:30am - He's right next to me in my bed. "Mommy, I pee pee in the bed"
Me: "What?" (Inside my head - How is that possible he has a night time Pull-Up on?)
Toddler: "Mommy, I pee pee in the bed"
Me: open one eye, raise up to find that big wet spot! AWESOME.

It's not his fault but it is mine and my dh, wouldn't want to leave him out, lol. Here's the thing about our Pull-Ups, they just became VERY expensive diapers.

Today was the day! We shouldn't have to figure out which Pull-Ups are daytime or nightime. This is a stupid system and what this toddler needs is my FULL undivided attention. PERIOD!!!

Today he got it and I let him go commando. The one minute I took my eyes off of him he had an accident. We had 5 successful potty visits. I pulled that potty chair right in the living room and stayed with him. It has been the longest day ever. It was a struggle! He didn't want to sit there and I didn't want to either but I did. I didn't get dishes done or laundry done or dinner cooked. I didn't get bills paid or emails checked or tweeted. NOTHING else but feed baby, change diaper and watch toddler!

During the process my poor son was coming in and out of the house. "Has he gone yet?" "No!" and back to riding his bike he would go. He's finally gotten the hang of his bike so this is all cool for him. He wants me to go outside and watch but I can't! I'm committed. I've entered potty training boot camp and this is what it takes. Meanwhile my son goes in and out some more and I look out the window and I see him and grab my camera. He has parked himself outside. He had his hot chocolate, book and everything. What a sport!

Why go commando you ask? Simple. When we started Pull-Ups it was working but then he got tired of sitting on the potty. He would cry and I gave up. We tried the underwear and he didn't care he would go. Basically I figured that anything covering him up he was going to potty on. Also there is nothing that will make me pay attention more than a toddler running loose in the house commando.

We went out to eat and put a Pull-Up on him and when we got back it was the same thing, go commando and park that potty chair in the living room. I gave him anything he wanted when he went those 5 times! Yep, I sure did. Whopper? Yes you can have it! Mint? Heck yes have 2! Tootsie roll? Sure you can have that too! This was a HUGE day for us.

My eldest asked, "Mommy is it going to be like this tomorrow too?" "YES!" "For how long?" "As long as it takes!"

I stuck to my guns today and I know that this is what it takes. It's 100% of my attention. I just had to see the bigger picture and I should not ask if he wants to go! It's sit him down every hour on the hour and let him try. I have to track his system and in order for him to focus on it, I have to focus on it.

We also have a system of, if someone has to go to the bathroom ask the toddler to take you! That helps him associate it and he will sit down in his own potty chair while he waits.

Till tomorrow!

Today's Quote

My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds.

-Mel Weldon

Bringing Sexy Back - Day 19

Special thanks to @jasoncrouch for helping me get through my cleaning today! He blipped me some great cleaning music. Geez cleaning was not pleasant. Who wants to clean on a Sunday? I don't but if I don't it will still be there the next day. I got through the bathrooms and kitchen with a touch of laundry! rofl - oh what a day. Thank goodness for all those restaurant gift certificates we got for Christmas. I'm not cooking for a while!

Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates - Day 20

Check out our dog. She's clearly resting her head on the baby's bottom. How cute is that? Today I found some weird patches of thinning hair. It's hard to tell since I look like a lion when my hair is down but I know it's there. It's the cherry on top of a fabulous year. I'm aging, it happens to the best of us.
Last night I caught I Know Who Killed Me. What a horrible movie! It's not even worthy of a review. GAK! Don't waist your time or money on that one. I also caught Forest Gump and I can't help but watch it every single time it's on. It's one of my favorites. What an extraordinary life! Some times I wouldn't mind putting on a new pair of running shoes and going for a long run myself. It's been raining here a lot. I look around and see the same set of tasks awaiting me as any other day: dishes, laundry, accounting, filing and changing more diapers. I need a more exciting set of tasks.

Today's Quote

You are unique. Just like everyone else.

24 Hours of Funk - Day 21

In the last 24 hours I have made every effort to do as little as possible. I'm always moving 100 mph and after Christmas all the stress finally sunk in and I hit my wall. I saw the movie Wanted and I wasn't all that impressed. I caught up with all the shows I had on my dvr. I caught Fast Times at Ridgemont High and then today I caught Never Been Kissed. I haven't touched the computer for 24 hours no: Twitter, Gmail, update on cpsia or blogging. I have a lot to think about and it was nice to not think about it for a while. Back to reality!

Aloha Friday #23

Kailani at An Island Life has created this really fun idea. If you are interested in joining in, please visit her site for more details.

Today's question is:
What was your favorite gift that you received over the holidays?

Flash Back Friday #23 - Charlie Brown Christmas

People need to be reminded what Christmas is all about. There were many last minute shoppers in the stores. Everyone was stressed out and rude to each other. Children were up late at night in the stores screaming to leave. They want to be in bed not last minute shopping. No matter how hard our family seems to try Christmas seems less and less fun each year. The older kids get harder and harder to buy for. All they want are gift cards. Oh well, till next year.

Today's Quote

Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?

-Martin Luther King Jr

Merry Christmas - Day 22

Merry Christmas everyone! What a long day it has been. Our eldest son was up at 4am. That's just not right. It only took about 30 minutes for our house to look like he a toy store exploded. We got to visit with our eldest daughter for a little while. Spent most of her time with us sleeping. She has 6 Christmas exchanges to go to. That is so crazy. I told her she needed to downsize. rofl!!

Thursday Thirteen #60 - Christmas Movie Classics

Must see holiday films!

1. A Christmas Story
2. It's A Wonderful Life
3. Jingle All The Way
4. Polar Express
5. Charlie Brown Christmas
6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
7. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
8. Frosty The Snowman
9. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
10. A Christmas Carol
11. Trading Places
12. Trapped in Paradise
13. Santa Claus is Coming To Town

Someone is Missing - Day 23

This is the first Christmas that we have spent without our eldest daughter. It is strange not having her here to decorate or write letters to Santa. It's odd not having a helper to wrap presents. Now I know how my mother must have felt. Each year you have these Christmas traditions all surrounding your children. After they become adults and move away there isn't anyone waking you up before the crack of dawn screaming that Santa Claus has come. I still have 3 little ones here but eventually they will move away too. But for now, on with the show! Milk and cookies are out and we are waiting for the little people to fall asleep. One of favorite things to do is break out a Christmas movie. Tonight's feature was A Christmas Story. This brings me to the Thursday 13 post. Merry Christmas!

Today's Quote

If you can't get a compliment any other way, pay yourself one.

-Mark Twain

Wordless Wednesday - Mommy Kisses

Mr. Sun - Day 24

I have my whole family hooked on this song. It's such a catchy tune. My friend came over and we had a good visit. We even put together a Polar Express puzzle, well almost. We ran out of time. Two more days until Christmas Are you ready?

Tuesday Toot Meme #22

This week I am doing my best to keep updated about the cpsia regulations, deadlines, testing and how my business will be effected. I'm tooting my horn that I haven't fallen into complete sadness or given up yet, so GO ME!

The 2008 Battery Challenge! - Day 4

We are finishing up the battery test for Duracell. More surprises are in store as we find out which big name battery brand gives you the best value for the money.Today we began each toy at 8:06am and at 10:48am the Night Vision Goggles were the first to lose their battery life. The Geo Trax lost power at 10:53am and in this case the screwdriver ran until 11:50am.

Screwdriver - 7 hours 35 minutes
Geo Trax - 7 hours 47 minutes
Night Vision Goggle - 8 hours 24 minutes

How do we find out the best battery life? We take the average price/total running time.

We will use the AC Nielsen Data for the average every day price per 4 pack of batteries.

Night Goggles require 5 AA batteries.
The Home Depot screwdriver requires 2 AA batteries.
Geo Trax requires 6 AAA batteries.

Energizer
AA batteries - avg. price per 4ct $3.56 - .890 per battery
Total run time 11 hours 34 minutes
AAA batteries - avg. price per 4ct $3.66 - .916 per battery
Total run time 5 hours 55 minutes

Rayovac
AA batteries - avg. price per 4ct $2.24 - .561 per battery
Total run time 10 hours 38 minutes
AAA batteries - avg. price per 4ct $2.42 - .605 per battery
Total run time 8 hours 35 minutes

Duracell
AA batteries - avg. price per 4 ct $3.78 - .944 per battery
Total run time 15 hours 59 minutes
AAA batteries - avg. price per 4 ct $3.74 - .936 per battery
Total run time 7 hours 47 minutes

		Rayovac		Energizer		Duracell
Total Time AA		10.38		11.34		15.59
Total Time AAA		8.35		5.55		7.47
Cost Per AA		0.561		0.89		0.944
Cost Per AAA		0.605		0.916		0.936
# of hours per dollar		19		13		17
# of hours per dollar		14		6		8

RAYOVAC WINS!

You will get more hours of play time per Rayovac battery. When your out doing your last minute holiday shopping don't forget the batteries for the toys! If you would like click on the hyperlinks for previous posts about our battery challenge.

Day1
Day2
Day3

Today's Quote

There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day.

-Alexander Woollcott

She's Getting So Big!

Rub-N-Color

My toddler just got this Rub-N-Color as a Christmas present. It is really cool. It came with a popsicle stick to color with. I can't tell you how the paper works but what a great idea. This would be a great item to conquer boredom on those long car rides. His big brother played with it too. Just had to blog about it in case you are looking for a last minute Christmas gift.

Missed Family Game Night - Day 25

We had to miss our family game night. We had to go out to dinner and it ran late and then we had to entertain for a bit. I am pretty proud of us though because we had been sticking to it. I just forgot to blog about it. We played Trouble last week and the week before it was the Chess championship. My hubby rolled us over with his mad Chess skills. Our 8 yo popped 6 after 6 after 6 and won Trouble! We will have plenty of time to catch up over Christmas.

The 2008 Battery Challenge! - Day 3

We are still testing batteries! Today we are finishing the Rayovac batteries in our 3 toys. The Geo Trax Grand Central Station, The Home Depot screw driver and the Night Vision Goggles that you see right here.

We started each of the toys at 8:35am. At 9:50am the screwdriver stopped and at 9:58am the Night Vision Goggles shut down. The Geo Trax ran until 12:12pm. I was very surprised by this! I thought they would shut down around the same time but they didn't.

Screwdriver - 5 hours 15 minutes
Geo Trax - 8 hours 35 minutes
Night Vision Goggle - 5 hours 23 minutes

Next up - Duracell.
We began our 4 hour testing at 12:20pm. Stay tuned for more results on Day 4 of The 2008 Battery Challenge. Which brand gives you more play time for your money?

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique - World Wide Contest!

Here is your chance to win this beautiful Night Rider jewelry gift set! Lynn from Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique is very much in the holiday spirit. Not only will she ship this lovely gift set to the winner any where in the world but she is also offering a $20 gift certificate to her gift boutique. I've been browsing through the products she offers and they are so beautiful. You have to see for yourself. She has a wide range of products and styles. You will find pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and fun items like porcelain dolls and switchable stained glass night lights. There are lots of jewelry gift sets too.

What do you have to do to win this beautiful Night Rider jewelry gift set?

*Necklace measures 16 inches long with a 3.5 inch extension up to 19.5 inches in length including lobster clasp. Earrings measure 1.5 inches long including ear wire*

1st you have to go visit her store and then come back here and tell me what you would spend that extra $20 gift certificate on! You can comment more than once on what you would spend the money on. Comment until your heart is content.

Extra Entries:
Follow Lynn on Twitter and tell her I sent you.
Join her mailing list to keep updated about new products and promotions.
Add an item to your wishpot account!

Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm cst on 12/29. I will announce the random winner here by 10:00am cst 12/30. Contest is available World Wide! Good Luck.

And The Winner Is....

@pmku 22! half a minute ago from mobile web in reply to PMKU

mommyinstincts


Congratulations! Tammi your #22

Oh Santa! - Day 27

Today we made the hall to the mall for photos with Santa Claus. My hubby and I dread this each year but we suck it up and do it any way. The lines are painful and trying to keep your kids from losing their minds while they wait can be very trying. Our boys did well considering we waited in line for 45 minutes. The baby did great but then daddy held her and she passed out. So for all our efforts to get the kids dressed, make the drive, fight the traffic and wait among the crowd this is our photo. ROFL! Our baby is asleep and our toddler looks like he would rather be at the Lego store.

The 2008 Battery Challenge! - Day 2

Surprising results today. We started all the toys at the same time at 1:35pm and they began slowing down an hour later. At 3:05pm the screwdriver completely stopped working and at 3:25pm the Geo Trax engine also stopped working. While these toys lost their battery life the night vision goggles were fading. They began to flicker like the film that comes off of a projector. At 3:39pm the batteries had completely died in the night vision goggles. I was really surprised that overall the battery life of the Energizer brand was around 6 hours.
Screwdriver - 5 hours 35 minutes
Geo Trax - 5 hours 55 minutes
Night Vision Goggle - 5 hours 59 minutes

Next up - Rayovac.
We began our 4 hour testing at 3:50pm. Stay tuned for more results on Day 3 of The 2008 Battery Challenge. Which brand gives you more play time for your money?

Today's Quote

When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.

-Ernest Hemingway

#cpsia - WashingtonPost.com Takes Notice

What does it mean that WashingtonPost.com has written an article about the new regulations regarding products for children 12 and under? It means it's not a hoax it's very real.

Is it really more than just toys? YES. I really wish this situation was swept up like the Motrin Moms movement. It's possible that folks just hear the #cpsia acronym and ignore it. Don't ignore it!

What's the big deal? The cost of the testing is so high that it could cause many small businesses to close. I've been researching it for my business. Even if I wasn't a small business owner I know many Moms online who have their own businesses garment decorating and own online shops. February is one of the many deadlines and we are really pushing for clarification. Please give the article a read and voice your opinion.