bless-ed

crayon rocks rock!

2010-05-05T01:11:00.001-07:00

i apologize for the lack of creativity in the title.

however, it's true! these soy-based crayons far exceeded my expectations! i purchased them only because they looked fun and i like to provide my four year old with new and interesting materials in his art supplies from time to time (okay, and because i wanted to try them, myself.)

little did i know that an added benefit of these pebble-shaped wonders would encourage proper hand positioning. take for example the way pea holds a regular pencil:

i've never quite seen another child do this before and it baffles me. i don't like to correct or redirect too much when it comes to creative spark (for as much as i kindled said spark in my oldest, i also think i hindered it a few times too many) but i find myself showing pea how to properly hold writing instruments like an old schoolmarm - and when that lasts all of 3.6 seconds i then resort to showing him how to utilize the more common toddler fist grip. but still he manages to set the pencil or crayon down, pick it up in his preferred manner and scribble, thumb down.

when i first presented the crayon rocks to pea i had no idea what to expect. he immediately picked one up and began to draw in a much more natural position - a la - the tripod grip!

he also drew, for the very first time, something that didn't just resemble lines on a page but his very first, bona fide person! i was beyond ecstatic since bean, my fourteen year old boy wonder, has been drawing extensive characters and buildings since he was two and i've just sort of been waiting for pea to draw something, anything, that i could easily identify.

he even started to just sort of let loose and experiment with the medium, which was great...there's something about crayola crayons that i will always love, but that i will also find limiting to the imagination. crayon rocks solve that issue and pea created a rainbow cave, completely unprompted, that had the waldorf in me beaming with joy (even if it's completely un-waldorf to say that).

all in all, i'd say that crayon rocks are an invaluable tool for little artists because of the fine motor skills, as well as the creative process, that they promote. i had initial concerns about the soy base causing allergic or sensitivity issues, with sprout, my youngest - but i don't think it's a real issue to be had as i let him eat one and he was fine. joke. that was a joke. because he is so young still, i don't actually know if such a product will be a problem in the future - he seems to be outgrowing his soy/legume sensitivities so it may not be something i even have to think about as he gets older but, from what i know, people with severe soy allergies should avoid non-food products containing soy such as candles, soaps, and yup. crayons.

as far as the quality of the crayon rocks as an implementation of artful representation (how was that for a mouthful of nonsense?) again, i think they rock! ha! i really thought they might produce inconsistent, shoddy markings similar to those made by restaurant crayons but no, these babies are worthy of being on every serious (and not-so-serious) artist's table and i fully intend on buying a larger stash for such purposes.

i have since learned that the crayon rocks actually were designed to promote the tripod grip. like, intentionally. who knew? well, they've succeeded and i'm not just some unknown testimonial ;)

stay tuned for the Very First Blessed Boy Mama giveaway and some awesome stroller reviews this week!

the silver cross eclipse fizz = my new favorite umbrella stroller!

2010-02-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

the silver cross fizz stroller is one spiffy lightweight!

for reference, i have tried just about every model maclaren has made since 2004 and have owned five volos, a ryder, two vogues, two quests, an MX3, a twin techno, a techno classic and a techno XLR. i have never really considered purchasing a triumph, though i've played around with them plenty.

at one point i had a silver cross pop but i was so used to maclarens that i couldn't get past the fact that it didn't steer quite as well. so, going into this rave about the new eclipse fizz, i do have some previous experience with silver cross umbrella strollers and can say that the steerability of the fizz is much improved!

i will also say that it is most like a maclaren triumph, though it is often compared to the volo. there are enough similarities between the fizz and volo but it is like a more fully-featured triumph, in my opinion, and if someone was considering even a maclaren quest, i'd suggest they consider the fizz first.

so first off, let's discuss the appearance.

the fizz is sharp!

it's sleek!

it is, dare i say, sexy!

i still have yet to take photos of the stroller without the seat liner (or with it reversed to silver) so for now these will have to do :)

notice the nice, rounded "won't cut off your kid's fingers" hinges. ingenious and classy! then notice the thick padded seat liner with the cute lightly quilted bubble pattern. love it! also note that without the use of an extendable leg rest, my ten month old's legs don't dangle off the edge and the seat is sturdy enough so that he can sit cross-legged in comfort. love this feature, as well!

for full review:

the solid hubcaps, cupholder, and silvery mesh underbasket are all features that add to the overall A+ in the appearance department. i'm not sure how much i'll appreciate the foam handles after a while, since they are a very light colored grey, but they're comfortable and also add to the charm of the stroller. i think black foam would have produced a different, overall feel. to protect the handles from unsightly discoloration, i may invest in another stroller bag to keep this baby in, once i start towing it around in my trunk.

the cupholder is awesome. it's not huge, though, and a kleen kanteen only *just* fits. also, it says that it shouldn't be used to carry anything more than six ounces which i found so amusing, i took a picture of the warning:

seriously? what is six ounces? a child-sized frosty comes to mind.

photo source: dosomething.org

i can get past that. i'm sure the cup holder would safely hold a 16 oz. bottle of water or even a 22 oz. cup of soda or tea. it does stick out to the side, rather than towards the back, but it folds up when not in use or when you need to squeeze through a tight space.

the harness buckle also appeals to my senses with it's rounded appearance and clear connector pieces. my logical side wonders if this clear plastic connector won't break with repeated use, but i'm pretty careful with my things and will be just slightly more gentle than i normally would when buckling and unbuckling my little ones.

also worth mentioning is that the shoulder harness connects to the belt by sliding on the top of the clear buckle. as you can see there is nothing to keep it connected once you slide it on, so it does slide off rather easy and may have to be reattached every time you buckle up. this may be considered a drawback but another thing i like about the harness system, overall, is that it's super easy to use and adjust. there are only two positions and without the seat liner, you just slide the harness out of a loop that keeps it in the lowest position, which is attached to the front of the seat itself. not having to thread the shoulder harness through the back of the seat is nice.

now, one of the best things about the silver cross fizz is that the seat height is a whopping and impressive 21" tall from the seat bottom to the top. the shoulder harness does not take full advantage of this height and it is not long enough to use the five-point system with my tall four year old, but he is an experienced enough rider that i'm comfortable with just using the belt's three-point system, or even *gasp* not buckling him at all.

here, you can see how comfortable a 41.5" tall child sits in the fizz:

his head does not, i repeat it DOES NOT touch the top of the canopy and it just barely touches the top of the seat back. i wish i had a volo to compare seat back heights but from memory, it's at least 2" shorter than the fizz seat and my four year old's head has definitely been above the backs of all maclarens for at least a year - of course the stroller seats still provide support, but i love love love the fact that the top of his head is not only fully supported by the fizz, but that it doesn't brush up against the canopy hood, whether it's closed or not.

here, you can see that his head is right at (or maybe even slightly below, but i think he was leaning forward a bit) the top of the seat back. also, the canopy is closed in this picture, though you can't really tell, but you can see that the fabric is not touching his head.

here you can see that the canopy is fully extended and there is at least 4" of clearance between his head and the top of the fabric. i read somewhere online that the distance between the inner top of the canopy and the seat bottom in the maclaren volo is 26" - i have no idea how this was measured since there are all sorts of angles one can take such measurement but from the seat bottom on the fizz, straight up to the front of the canopy, the clearance is 28".

so how does the silver cross fizz really compare to maclarens?
let's look at the volo and fizz first...

the maclaren volo has a mesh seat and the fizz has a mesh seat with a padded center and a removable, reversible quilted seat liner made of soft canvas-like material. if you're familiar with the silver cross pop you will appreciate the difference in material that shows both an improvement in overall quality and feel in this silver cross product. the seat back, as mentioned earlier, is also taller than maclaren seats by at least two inches. the volo weighs a few pounds less than the fizz but has far less to offer.

so why do i compare the fizz to the triumph? the seat recline and the seat liner, mostly. while the recline on the triumph is slightly more of an actual recline and the feature on the fizz is really just a wee bit of variability, it does provide a better napping experience for the sleeping child (in the volo, my toddler's head would often flop forward and i'd have to push the stroller on the back two wheels to keep him breathing comfortably). the triumph may recline more than the fizz and it might even sit more upright but i really like the fizz seat, overall. it is made to cradle the child and reminds me of a hammock, even though it doesn't incline to a fully upright position, it is supportive and comfortable. the recline only adjusts two or three inches and the total degree of recline is probably not suitable for newborns (neither is the triumphs) but it is a smooth operation with a pull toggle on the seat back (similar to the triumph) so it will not wake your napping child.

the seat liner is more substantial on the fizz than the triumph and offers more comfortable padding so that your toddler won't complain that the backside of their knees are hurting, which may happen in both a volo or triumph. because of this, i might stretch a comparison to the quest. the canopy on the fizz also reminds of the shape and size of the canopy on the quest and because the fizz is slightly more "featured" with the cupholder i'd suggest it as an important consideration for people looking into this category of umbrella strollers. i am not a fan of putting newborns in umbrella strollers, no matter the recline, but the quest is suggested for babies 6 months and up, same as the fizz. i have put both of my younger children in a quest before they were six months old because they could both sit up unassisted before then and i think the recline is similar enough to a carseat that even a baby of two or three months can safely spend some time in it, if reclined fully. i would say the same is true for the fizz, especially with the hammock-effect the seat has.

compared to the latest MSRP of volos at $130 and full-price quests running $245, the fizz is the best value at $139. if you can find a deal on ebay or shnoop that should be considered a bonus because the fizz is so great that it is one of the few things i wouldn't regret paying full price for.

skip hop pop!

2010-02-03T22:59:00.001-08:00

can i just say that i am eagerly awaiting the release of the new skip hop spring pattern?

the pop flower dash is showing up on a few websites but is not actually available yet, according to skip hop reps.

i hear it will be out in time for mother's day and i'm definitely dropping hints!

deceptively delicious really is!

2010-01-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

delicious, that is. i'm not too sure about the deceptive part.

my oldest two children are not picky eaters and they love fruits and vegetables.

bean, the nearly fourteen year old, is so adventurous he actually tried sushi long before i ever did.

jury is still out on sprout since we're only beginning our ~~foray~~ (did i just make up that word?) journey into solid foods.
so far, so good.

anyhow, i had seen deceptively delicious on bookshelves all over the place, from barnes and noble to target, and the delightful illustrations always caught my eye. the charming retro feel, reminscent of grandma's betty crocker cookbooks, also warmed my heart. but for the longest time i couldn't bring myself to buy a book based on the idea that one must deceive their family in order to feed them better.

when i saw a copy on the bargain shelves at hastings i decided to take the plunge and get over the implied deception. to be honest, i'm pretty bad about serving up as much fresh produce as i should in the wintertime, so the idea of pureeing vegetables ahead of time to add to recipes at a moment's notice was quite appealing. my children could easily witness the steaming or roasting and pureeing of vegetables. they would think it was funny that the butternut squash or cauliflower was in the macaroni and cheese, instead of next to it.

so i bought it and pored over it for a few days, my mouth watering in anticipation of some of the wonderful looking dishes.

my only caveat is that "deceptively delicious" promotes the use of non-stick cooking spray (in nearly every recipe, even when it seems completely pointless) as well as margarine and low-fat dairy products. if it were truly a health-conscious book it might rely less on outdated information and provide insight into the concerns of using unnecessary chemicals and synthetic ingredients as kitchen staples.

i personally have mixed feelings about excessive dairy consumption but choose to use regular (full fat) cheeses and 2% milk, when purchasing cow's milk. we also use real butter and olive or coconut oil (and sometimes canola) in place of vegetable oils. so i'm coming from a totally different, non-mainstream camp and happily report that these recipes can be altered to suit individual preferences.

overall, "deceptively delicious" definitely delivers some inspiration and ideas i may not have otherwise come across. however, i think i'll pass on the avocado-enhanced chocolate cake.

breathe. focus. live.

2009-12-15T09:19:00.000-08:00

i think i've mentioned before that i recently started to acquire oak meadow materials so that i can be fully prepared when i start homeschooling the little ones.

it is suggested that you follow a yoga program with your children as early as preschool and i've been waiting for just the right trade or used set to come along before purchasing the materials. since becoming a barefoot books ambassador i decided to just go ahead and get the yoga planet set they offer, as i've been intrigued by the concept since i saw an ad in mothering magazine, some time ago.

so far pea ( formerly known as my three year old) and i have been having "yoga breaks" throughout the day where i let him pick three cards from the yoga pretzels deck (i'm saving the other deck and the book for christmas) and we work through the poses. he is a natural and has so much fun!

i wondered if yoga cards would be as hokey as a children's yoga DVD i once had for bean (formerly known as the oldest), complete with silly poses and activities. i think that's why i held off on purchasing them until now and while some of the suggested commentary on the cards might be considered "silly," it doesn't sound contrived when spoken out loud. i tend to focus mostly on correctly explaining a pose and the importance of posture without also explaining that we're a strong gorilla or soaring airplane. but that's just me. and even for someone like me that once attended twice-weekly yoga classes almost religiously, the poses and, of course, the time spent with my little one are enjoyable even when sprout (formerly known as the baby) is underfoot or testing out his new tricks (pulling himself to stand and promptly falling backwards because he doesn't quite know how to stand unassisted yet). i don't take it too seriously and know i'm not getting a full-on workout but i still feel refreshed and a little bit more grounded after our yoga breaks.

i wasn't expecting to feel so good but it's been a while since i actually did yoga (or any excercise, for that matter). when pregnant with pea, i attended prenatal yoga classes but he wasn't the kind of baby or toddler that stayed in the gym childcare center without screaming so i can't say i picked up any regular workout after he was born. when pregnant of sprout i suffered from severe SPD and the first time i tried yoga, thinking it would help relieve the pain, i was worse off than when i started and unable to get up off the floor for thirty minutes. so it's been years, to say the least, since i've done anything that resembled yoga practice. needless to say, i was surprised by the rewards of taking such a small yogic step.

i am also amazed at how eager the pea is to do yoga first thing every morning, before bed, and when the mood strikes. by the time sprout is old enough to join us, pea will be my little yogi master!

i am not only promoting this because i am a barefoot ambassador, but because i truly believe in the wonder of this, and all other barefoot titles. now would be a great time to pick up the set and invite yoga into you and your child's life. barefoot books has extended their winter sale until december 23rd so you can receive 30% off and free shipping until next week!

Barefoot Books Holiday Sale

2009-12-10T22:37:00.000-08:00

if you are not familiar with barefoot books now would be the time to get acquainted with one of the best publishers of children's books around! i am serious, i love these books! not only are they beautifully illustrated, but the storytelling is exquisite and rich and creates a place of calm and quiet in both the reader and the listener.

since receiving my first order of barefoot books i am happily reinstating our strict bedtime routine of two stories and snuggles, and not because i look forward to toddler bedtime but because i'm excited and inspired, once again, to offer my child something solid and structured at the end of our busy days *and* most importantly it no longer feels like a chore. i had been reading several "character" books that were beyond dull and trite. it was difficult for me to trudge through the storyline and my three year old could probably sense my lack of enthusiasm. i think the lack of rich, engaging stories is one reason i so easily abandoned our storytime for scrubs re-runs after i had the baby.

but now i honestly have a set of books that we will share over and over again, that will grow with my children. for the past four nights, i have read from the barefoot book of pirates or storytree and each night my three year old has said, "i just love these books."

i know that as my younger two children grow, the stories won't grow old and boring, but rather more rich and meaningful as if they're hearing them for the first time.

i love that i don't have to "pre-screen" the books to make sure there's nothing inappropriate in the plot. in fact, i was slightly worried about the pirate book at first, but quickly found that each story was actually quite heartwarming with heroics and morals, not just needless pirate violence.

i am currently awaiting a pretty large order and the illustrations in the books i just received are so wonderful i wish i had ordered more hardcovers. the variety of authors and illustrators is a booklovers dream and with their current holiday sale, there's no reason not to get acquainted with barefoot books and introduce them to the children in your life, whether they're already avid readers or you'd like to instill a love of learning and reading. until december 15th, enjoy 30%off and free shipping with no minimum order.

Thank Goodness for Ikea! (and Craigslist).

2009-11-22T21:25:00.000-08:00

i have a love/hate relationship with Craigslist but it will be on the list of "Irrelevant Things That Make Me Happy" for a while because the other day, while once again getting weepy at the thought that the nearest Ikea is nowhere near me, i found the an Antilop highchair for sale.

see, i just got new dining chairs and my 20 lb. seven month old is rapidly outgrowing his fisher-price space saver highchair so i was looking at ikea's antilop again. i've wanted one since my three year old was an infant but now it seemed something worth pursuing. the classic, seamless style would complement our new chairs perfectly so i was debating whether or not to order it from the Ikea website even though the cost would have been nearly double, after shipping and handling.

before committing to the purchase of a brand new antilop, i checked my local craigslist.

i found a white chair for sale and thanked my lucky stars when the seller responded promptly and let me know that it was still available. i picked it up that day and was pleasantly surprised to find that it came with the tray. best $15 i've spent on used baby gear in a long time!

these chairs assemble in no time, are ultra-lightweight, yet sturdy and stable. the one-piece molded plastic seat is an amazingly simple, yet brilliant concept! there is not another highchair out there that is as easy to clean as the antilop. that single aspect makes it worth more than it's weight in gold, if you ask me.

one other thing: this simple little chair looks deceptively smaller than it is. while i was cleaning it in preparation for it's debut at our table, i wondered if getting my 20 lb. chubster in it would be a chore but he slides in and out easily and there is plenty of wiggle room in the leg openings and seat area. the tray is a bit difficult to take on and off but once on, it's secure, and doesn't at all effect the ease of getting baby in or out.

hint: to remove the antilop tray, push the four "lips" that clip under the front of the highchair first, then the side clips lift right out.

muslin swaddling blankets

2009-11-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

...because i don't have the time, focus, or energy for an entry of substance and depth, i'm going to review another favorite product around here.

muslin swaddling blankets. wraps. big pieces of gorgeous, soft, fluffy goodness. whatever you want to call them...

i've only tried aden & anais as well as luna lullaby muslin blankets, and i love them both, for different reasons. so here, i suppose is my comparison of the two brands.

i was introduced to the world of great, oversized, fluffy goodness during my last pregnancy when i registered for a few things and pleasantly received a four pack of aden & anais blankets. i used nothing else after my son was born, save for grabbing a regular, ol' flannel receiving blanket during times of sheer emergency (read: they became oversized burp cloths or lap pads but no longer served as blankets around here). there were even times when i was too tired (or lazy) to put a diaper cover over my little guy's cloth bum, and i'd wrap him right up in his muslin blanket without fear of getting soaked. i'm not sure anyone else would recommend this but if you use cloth diapers and often let your babies go coverless these blankets are just absorbant enough to save your clothes or bedding if baby is wrapped up sans cover. of course, once baby is big enough to squirm out, baby is also probably big enough to soak through a diaper without trying but for the first few months, these were a nice easy alternative to our usual wool soaker routine - and just as breathable!

a few months after my love affair with muslin blankets began i wanted more. and to be honest, i still do. it takes a lot for me to walk away from babyearth's ga ga deals when they offer muslin blankets. but that's another story. i wanted more because the size is perfect, as they say, for providing shade over the stroller, providing the perfect amount of nursing coverage, and just being an awesome snuggling blanket here, there, and everywhere. but i'm weird, you see, and i don't like things we use outside of the home to also be used in the home, unless they've been washed. so i justified the purchase of more blankets so that i could reserve them for the car and diaper bag. this time i hit up ebay and found luna lullaby sets with prints that i actually preferred to aden and anais. i scored a set of "gently used" boyish "zoom zoom" printed blankets and just could not resist the adorable vintage cars on one of the blankets. the other two are pretty rockin', too! when they arrived, they looked like they'd maybe been washed once, but hardly used at all. i was so pleased and couldn't decide if they'd become my new favorite.

so the differences between the two are as follows:
aden & anais blankets are about 3" wider in all direction (i haven't measured mine but the site says the blankets are 47" x 47", whereas luna lullaby blankets are 44" x 44")

luna lullaby blankets seemed softer at first but i think this difference in softness is really just a difference of thickness. the luna lullaby blankets are lighter and thinner than the aden & anais and don't seem to produce as many little "pills" with repeated washings. the fabric on both of them is quite a wonder to behold, though, and at one time i preferred the feel of the luna lullaby blankets but i have to say that our a & a's are my current favorite, once again. i suspect this has something to do with how often they're washed - i also suspect this will change next time i wash the the ll blankets, since i seem to have a renewed love for them each time i pull them out of the dryer.

the aden & anais blankets are more square shaped with folded edges and mitered corners, while the luna lullaby blankets have rounded edges and are serged all the way around. both have fabric tags that babies will love to find and gnaw on. note: aden & anais also have larger, stiffer (more annoying) tags that you might want to cut off, for safety, if your baby really is into sucking, chewing, and biting tags.

both blankets produce a nice waffling effect on repeated washings, which is the nature of muslin, but because the luna lullaby fabric is lighter/thinner, i find it easier to roll them up and store in the diaper bag.

since my love affair has deepened, with time, we also own aden & anais washcloths, which are also oversized - they're perfect lovey size and we use them regularly around here as teething soothers.

and, i also picked up a two pack of a & a's winter warmth blankets, which are two-layers of muslin, fluffy goodness. i got the plain white ones with hopes of dying them fun, boyish colors one day, but so far i actually enjoy the simple, streamlined look of them. and as i'd hoped, even my almost four year old loves them! he wasn't much of a blanket baby, ever, but as it's started to cool down around here, i've found him snuggled up under a winter warmth blanket several times. i also envision the future of all of these blankets - they are large enough to make magnificent playcloths - from capes, to playstand canopies, to table fort coverings! i can see it!

muslin blankets are a traditional australian product and i have to say, they are the msot ingenious product i've ever had the pleasure of using. at first, i wished that i had discovered them sooner - it would have been awesome to have this experience with each baby! but now that i forsee their useful function for years to come and know they're large enough to keep my 13 year old (who is taller than me) cozy on the couch, i'm just grateful that i discovered them when i did.

if you're thinking about trying some, or have a shower/new baby gift to purchase, i wouldn't think twice! muslin blankets, no matter the brand, are the way to go! they will make all other receiving blankets virtually obsolete, they are large enough to wrap and snuggle all babies, no matter their size or age, and they will truly grow with the child providing more than just comfort as their imaginations take flight!

the sweetest perpetual calendar

2009-10-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite additions to our seasonal table is this sweet, little perpetual calendar by sukie (from chronicle books).

my three year old takes pleasure in spinning the wheels every day. he's an expert at changing the date since he's been able to recognize his numbers, with ease, for about a year and with a little help, he is learning the abbreviations for the days of the week and months. the cutest part, i think, is that there's a wheel you can turn to display the current weather conditions with pictures - a storm cloud, bright sun, raindrops, etc. and he loves being our little forecaster every morning.

i think everyone needs one of these cheery calendars, even if not to display on their waldorf-inspired nature or seasonal table ;)

anyhow, i'm going to be quite shallow now and stop singing the praises of all things sukie because fedex just rang the bell. my new joovy kooper is here....wheeeeeee!

but here's a hint: there are a couple of chronicle ads on my blog - click through to use a coupon for 30% off and free shipping on your entire order!

it's been a while...

2009-10-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

i have neglected many of my online stomping grounds lately, as life is happening all around me and i am trying - sometimes better than other times - to let it unfold but also harness the power of routine and schedules. it is beneficial and for the past several weeks, our home preschooling has sputtered and stalled, sputtered and stalled.

i am taking a relaxed approach to it all because it dawned on me that my middle son is not a year away from starting kindergarten, but two years away, and i totally deserve to relax. although some people still tease that they can't understand the way he pronounces everything, his vocabulary is so advanced that i find it hard to believe that he's not even four years old. just tonight, while allowing him to watch some scrubs (we just got seasons 4, 5, and 6 on DVD), he not only impressed me with his ability to fully understand the DVD menu by recognizing which episode we were on, but also wowed me with his use of synonyms when he said, "we're on the episode with elliot in the middle, or rather the center". and earlier today, while helping him get on a pair of bothersome jeans, i buttoned them and started to zip them when the zipper got stuck. i began to explain the importance of zipper safety when he informed me that, "i usually zip them and then button them and it's actually not that difficult."

well, okay, then.

of course those are just two very recent, easily recalled examples and may not be indicative of just how much this kid amazes me. i'm tired, forgive me. the point is, he often does incredibly grown-up or thoughtful things. much to my mother's delight, i imagine, i cannot say that and not also mention that he definitely has his three year old moments but mostly he's amazing and i'd been desperately trying to get my hands on the oak meadows kindergarten materials (on the cheap) so we could get a jump start on some kindergarten level activities. i know, that goes against waldorf philosophy but i am not adhering strictly to waldorf methodology, by any means. however, i am also now not in any rush whatsoever. he's THREE!

last month we started going to a park with a group of homeschoolers on tuesday mornings but as autumn has now arrived, the mornings are often cool and crisp, so the time was adjusted to later in the day. this has it's advantages, however, i was getting used to leaving the house earlier than normal, twice a week (we also do a preschool movement and music class) as it set a nice precedent for the rest of the day. going to the park before lunch worked well with the baby's schedule but after lunch, not so much. needless to say, we missed the first park day after the time change. the library near our house has story time on the same day and i'm thinking of making that a more regular thing, anyhow. this also has it's advantages - we live so close that we can walk - excercise is good! finding any excuse to use my mountain buggy double jogger is also good! there's a park right next to the library so we can still get some park play time in! the only downside is the early start time (incidentally, story time is at the same that we used to meet at the park) but as the weather gets colder, we can just layer on the jackets, hats, and scarves!

but first things first: we'll see if we can make it out on tuesday. it's that sputter and stall thing. motivation. momentum.

still lovin' my hana - and finally! the modification tutorial...

2009-09-23T15:31:00.001-07:00

so i've been meaning to blog about some recent playground experiences but instead, i'll just update quickly about how much i still love my fleurville hana. i could use this as a full-time diaper bag, no doubt about it. the size and organization possibilities are perfect. the side, snap-lock pockets have quickly become my favorite feature! my cell fits perfectly in the top pocket and the bottom pocket seems like it was made specifically for a pack of wrigley's 5 gum. they're awesome! of course, not all phones would fit in the top pocket but it fits my motorola krzr like a glove.

i think the fact that it's a very feminine hobo style, yet has a rugged and durable feel to it is also what makes it a favorite. i prefer hobo bags, in general, so i don't feel like i'm giving anything up in the style department, when i'm carrying the hana. it doesn't seem boxy since i modified the bottom (tutorial below) and i still maintain that i will use this bag long after my last baby is in diapers. i mentioned durability and it deserves a bit more explanation - the re-run fabric is soft but feels somewhat like canvas. it wears well and the darker colors won't pick up stains. i treat my bags very kindly but it does seem that spills seem to repel, rather than saturate, and i'm not afraid to put this bag down on the playground, even though i removed the metal feet.

so all in all, i'm still quite enamored with this bag and it's my park/playdate/music and movement class staple! basically, any time i'm too nervous to carry a leather bag, i'm carrying the hana. (yes, that means my modern floral babymel amanda is sadly being ignored - but i do pull her out of the closet every now and then, when i feel like wearing something even *more* feminine than the hana!)

now, i'd mentioned before that i'd modified my hana to suit my needs. below i'll explain, in detail, how i did this since i know it might be purposeful to at least a few fleurville fans out there!

DISCLAIMER: i am not suggesting that anyone perform this modification on their bag and i am not responsible for individual results, if such mofication is performed. i am also pretty certain that altering the bag in such a way will void any warranty that fleurville may provide. since i purchased my bag used, on ebay, i wasn't too worried about this since the manufacturer's warranty did not apply to my purchase.

that said, one day i accidentally discovered that the metal feet under the fleurville hana were nothing more than large brad-style fasteners that weren't permanently attached to the bag. this gave me an idea! see, the hard, structured bottom of the hana was the only major issue i had with the bag and without it i'd have a bag something pretty close to my dream bag.

one problem i could forsee is that the hard, structured bottom piece could be attached to the bag somehow so i spent some time undoing the brad fasteners through the inside of the bag, without altering the lining, to determine whether or not it would move freely. not an easy feat and difficult to explain but since the hard plastic piece maintaining the structure of the bag WAS NOT attached, i don't have to explain and the feet can be more easily removed after the seam is open.

another problem was that my sewing machine lives at my mom's and i wouldn't even know how to use it, if it were in my home. but since i can hand sew pretty darn well, i looked over the bag to see where i might be able to easily open a seam and hand sew it back together. i was prepared to open the seam near the top but then i realized that a section of seam wasn't sewn inside out. i'm not sure if this will be the case for each bag but in mine, the area was at the bottom of the lining, on the back of the bag (the side where the interior zip pocket is):

i pulled the lining up and out of the bag to easily access this section. there was probably about 10" of exposed seam but i took these pictures after i'd already opened it so you only see a little bit between my thumb and finger:

in this photo, you see the area i ripped out. i didn't remove the entire seam, but rather about a 6" section (just enough to pull out the plastic bottom) between the two halves of the interior fabric:
after wriggling out the plastic bottom piece i folded the two pieces of lining and held them together as they had been sewn. then i used some fabri-tac glue to keep them together until i had a chance to fix the seam by hand:

it did a pretty good job! i used some binder clips to hold the seam while the glue dried, and to be honest, it's been more than a month and i still haven't fixed the seam by hand. not sure i ever will, unless my glued seam comes apart and it seems necessary. i did fold in the excess thread on either side of my opened seam and made sure to glue the thread down to the fabric so that my seam would (hopefully) not open wider. so far, so good! i've realized now the advantage of doing this at the bag bottom, rather than the top, because if i'd opened the seam near the top, as originally planned, i would have definitely had to sew the seam together since the weight of the bag contents would have stressed the seam by now:

it's possible that some people may want to put the feet back on, but for me, i felt that without the structured bottom, the feet served little purpose and were visible even when the bag was worn. using a bit of fabric paint to create "feet" of your own is a good alternative. the right shade of brown will blend and if you cover the holes, entirely, it will prevent the openings from possibly fraying or opening further (not that i think this is a real problem, but it could happen, if you're rough on your bags).

next up, i got even more brave and decided to remove the metal hardware on the strap. so far i've only managed to add an extra 2" to my strap drop and it is no longer adjustable, but it was worth it because not only did i find the strap length too short at it's maximum length, but i also felt that the square corners of the strap slider were sharp and potentially dangerous. i was nervous about removing the hardware but armed with a flathead screwdriver and a hammer, i set to work. it was a success! i put the bag on my sidewalk, placed the screwdriver in the center of one metal piece, and hammered the top of the screwdriver. sure enough, a nice indentation was made. with this, it was easy for the screwdriver to stay in place until i hammered through and the metal piece cracked in half:

one side was easier than the other - i hammered the screwdriver quickly on either side of the hardware and removed the piece:

the slider was slightly more challenging because of the bar that goes through the center, but i was able to carefully place the tip of the screwdriver between the strap fabric and metal center and hammer, while keeping the facric folded out of the way. then i only had to crack one other side of the hardware and the strap easily slid free: i had in mind, a large metal, replacement d-ring, or something similar, but have yet to find what i'm looking for. in the meantime, a small carabiner clip is holding the straps together (and it even matches the silver finish on the stroller d-rings). as i mentioned, i only gained about 2" in length but i will gladly update if i ever find a better solution.

homeschool preparations

2009-09-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

my oldest son has been homeschooled a few times but right now he is thriving in a public school and starts (OMG) high school next year. but i am determined to homeschool, consistently, the younger two - with a waldorf-inspired foundation as i've always been drawn to the philosophy and teaching style.

my three year old watches too much department of education funded PBS and tells me he looks forward to the day when he can go to a real school. because he has this crazy idea that it will be fun. and okay, i am severely biased against public school, i'll admit it. for some kids, i'm sure, school is fun. i wasn't one of those kids. not because i didn't love academics and learning. i did. but i was a nerd who wanted desperately to hang out with the cool kids. if i had strived for mediocrity, instead of excellence, i might have been popular. it wasn't until i was homeschooled, myself, from seventh grade, that i learned to accept who i was and identify with my peers in a more acceptable manner. i stopped caring who did and didn't like me. i also stopped trying to dress like "everyone else" and instead found inspiration in the unique. this was about the time that grunge music was sweeping the nation and "clarissa explains it all" was on nickelodeon, so i was damn cool.

point is, i do not wish to project my own subjectivity based on past experience to my children. but i do want to provide them with the best education that i can - and at this time, i just wouldn't feel comfortable sending my youngest boys to the public school in our district. SO long story short, i was printing off materials in preparation for our preschooling, which i will begin next week.

i came across this wealth of information and started reading through the materials. in the "parent preparation" of the unit studies, the author mentions how previously she always felt her toddler was in the way, underfoot and that once a waldorf-method of homeschooling was adopted, everything changed as she engaged her toddler's help with chores. i'm hoping for such a huge shift in our day to day activity, as well. i'm also wondering if it will justify the purchase of a learning tower. still not sure what i'll do with the infant during all of our "schooling" since as crunchy as i'd like to be, i can't wear him in a carrier all day long.

i'll keep you posted!

before i forget...

2009-09-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

We love our Skip Hop Palette Bowls! They're supposed to accompany the Palette Plate, which I don't own - I purchased the replacement bowls seperately.

Not only are they super cute and tiny sized, but they are super functional. They feature a tight, leak-proof lid and are perfectly proportioned for small snacks or a serving of baby food. I can easily throw one or all three in my diaper bag without crushing small o-shaped pieces of cereal, or finding crumbs all over the interior of my bag, which is a problem with many other small, totable snack containers.

I know this isn't what they were intended for but I am so glad I thought they were cute and purchased some, on a whim. They're also BPA-free, which is a huge plus and so handy that I am trying to convince myself that I need more!

2009-09-01T22:13:00.001-07:00

i have been meaning to post a psuedo-tutorial and pictures of my fleurville hana alteration/modification/whatever, but the delusion i had that the third baby would have an easy time teething was simply that. a delusion.

i still think my oldest had the roughest time and so far the baby was handling it as well as the toddler did. but really, this is only the second-night into what i hope is actual teething. you know the kind that results in visible teeth? yes, can we just please move through this phase quickly? because his gums have been bothering him for a month or more and maybe it's like prodromal labor. it seems like it's never going to end but a lot of the work has been done upfront.

i'm hoping, as we've got more symptoms now.

fever. clinginess. drowsiness except, you know, during the time when everyone else in the house is asleep or wants to be. excessive drool. the heartbreaking sobs produced when whoever is holding him (raises hand: it's me. only me) even thinks about sitting down.

so. instead of taking full advantage of the infant motrin and C-batteries in the infant swing and uploading pictures to showcase my DIY-action on a diaper bag, i'm going to go to bed.

because i have a feeling i'll be up again before the sun.

For the Love of Diaper Bags!

2009-08-27T23:52:00.000-07:00

if you haven't noticed yet, i don't like capital letters. somewhere along the way, i got lazy...i spent a good portion of the last nine years keeping a livejournal and many of those years i was also persuing an undergraduate degree in psychology so i decided to save all my shift-key action for academic paper-writing purposes only. it worked out nicely and even though i received my second college degree over a year ago, well, i just don't see any point in regular capitalization. however, the title of this entry reads like a book title with all proper words in uppercase. i could have gone all out, capitalizing every single word:

For The Love Of Diaper Bags!

or better yet, every single letter:

FOR THE LOVE OF DIAPER BAGS!

because it's no secret. i'm serious about my diaper bags. and i've learned over the last year or so that many of us are. there are a certain, select group of women out there that will never buy a diaper bag at a large department store. never buy one with winnie-the-pooh or any other character or childish image emblazoned all over it. never buy one that looks like a diaper bag. i mean, it's not the kid that's wearing the thing, right?

right. now, being surrounded by boys, i have to play up my feminity whenever possible. this might mean carrying pink bags or carrying my kids around in floral carriers. but that's another topic.

actually, pink isn't my color, though it once was so it will always hold a dear place in my heart. brown is much more my thing, yet the two together are a combination i cannot resist. which is why i love this fleurville hana!

sure, this hobo is probably old news at this point and truth be told i've wanted one for at least two years. i'm not entirely sure what prevented me from getting one sooner, but i think it was because i saw a re-run messenger in person and didn't care for the fabric, i'll be honest. but in the hobo design, the re-run fabric works! had i got one of these sooner i probably would have been mostly satisfied and not tried so many others. no, really. even if my bag obsession sometimes verges on sick, i do tend to make good, long use of things when they serve their purpose well. this hana does just that, packing for diaper duty like a badass! and i see it definitely serving a purpose long after i'm diapering a bum.

how come? well...for starters, it doesn't look like a diaper bag. it's big and roomy and has great organization. it's large enough to hold everything i need for myself, my infant, and my toddler (my teen carries his own bag, er, manbag) without looking bulky. the strap length could be better because it makes cross-carrying a bit awkward (but it's doable) and there could be two sippy pockets on either side. i don't mind that the one sippy pocket isn't insulated so much because it keeps the bag light-weight and i don't feel like i have to use that pocket for a cup, i can use it for anything! also, the turn-lock pockets on the other side are actually pretty handy and if you carry the bag on your right shoulder, your cell phone is always in reach.

the hana is sporty yet cute and sassy. rugged yet charmingly classic. the front pockets are much deeper than they appear and even though there is no closure on them, i feel like anything i put in them will be secure. i had this for a hot minute in the fabulous ogo print but there was something about it that i just didn't love. the green lining? awesome! but the pink lining in the chocolate hana is also pretty awesome. this bag could have seriously ended my obsession with trying every single brand out there! i'm not even kidding.

(i totally altered mine by opening a seam in the lining, taking out the structured plastic bottom, removing the silver feet, and repairing the seam. it was rather simple but i don't recommend this unless you're sure that you'd prefer a less stuctured bag and don't mind voiding the warranty.)

now in the same week, i also received a babymel amanda AND the higher-end storksak emily, made by the same company. let me say this. for the price, the babymel amanda could improve on it's design only by screenprinting in the weave of the nylon outer, rather than on top of it. but everything else is superb! it really is lightweight. the two insulated bottle pockets are roomy. it looks like a cute, oversized purse and is another bag i might not be afraid to carry once my youngest is past the diaper stage. it comes in many styles but i went with pink and brown, again, and got the modern floral design.

this has an insanely long, adjustable strap that allows me to wear it cross-body and around my baby's bum when he's being worn in my calyx carrier. i love the easily wipeable surface and it'll be the bag i go to when i want to be just a little extra girly.

and finally. the storksak emily. i thought this would was the be-all and end-all but not for me. maybe for some, but not me. the celebrity hype might be what fuels this bag's popularity but it could be made a lot, and i mean A LOT, better to justify the price. i made the mistake of getting one used on ebay. mistake because by "used" i mean tore up from the floor up. it is naive of me to think that everyone will baby their bags like i do mine, but seeing this bag makes me really question the quality, in general. the bottom of the bag i received is not messed up at all, nor is the body, for that matter so i know it wasn't abused. but the strap and the FAUX-leather (don't let the few websites that mention "leather trim" fool you...this baby is not made with real leather!) trim is wrecked. i mean, cracked. torn. coming apart at the seams. it seems that the weight of the bag, when filled, really wears on the flimsy, vinyl strap and the adjustable buckle pulls so much that the strap openings split open. i haven't packed it up yet and maybe i'll be impressed when i do, but i'm not expecting a miracle. i'm horrified at the quality and craftsmanship. a bag that sells for $180 should not wear so poorly. (and really? $180 for nylon and vinyl?) granted, i have no idea what the previous owner did to the bag or how she treated it but like i said, the overall condition of the bag doesn't signal any abuse - it just seems the strap isn't adequate and wears out in a way that makes the entire bag appear cheap. it gets decent reviews but i'm hard pressed to believe that any of the reviewers feel the same way six months into their purchase.

i always save my reciepts!

2009-08-09T22:25:00.000-07:00

for a little while, anyway. for important stuff, until the receipts expire and for not-so-important stuff, long enough to know if what i've purchased is going to work for me.

my partner, on the other hand, doesn't save his receipts at all. we can stop for a snack at costco after checking out and risk losing the proof that we've paid for the items in the cart because he's so quick to toss the receipt as soon as he can.

and this, a trip to costco, is what i am writing about today. tonight, whatever.

see, two weeks ago we needed toilet paper and i like to buy this sort of thing in bulk so i don't have to run out of it often and think about picking it up at target on a weekly basis. usually we buy it at sam's but we recently got a corporate account with costco and decided to go on a family outing just to get toilet paper. i like quilted northern so when i was comparing its price to another brand at costco, i figured it was the better deal, overall, because the other HUGE package contained individually wrapped rolls and i felt that wasn't quite eco-friendly enough for me.

so i grabbed the quilted northern, noticing that the package was purple instead of blue and that there were some words on the package like "new" and/or "improved" but it didn't concern me. it was the only type of quilted northern in the place and i figured northern couldn't mess up what it did best.

wrong!

the new "ultra plush" quilted northern is worse than charmin. and i'm sure some people really love their charmin with it's fun colors and weird scents. and without going into a ton of detail about what i prefer in a toilet paper experience, i'll just say that charmin is too lint-y. and well, "ultra plush" quilted northern is, too. it might even be moreso than charmin.

a few days after we brought home this insane amount of crappy (har har, that was maybe a pun) toilet paper, my partner informs me that he doesn't like it. i agree. he doesn't like it because the rolls are thicker and shorter than the standard roll or even the typical double roll so it fits on the holder awkwardly. i couldn't care less about that, but the lint this stuff produces is astronomical!

lesson learned, we won't be buying it again (i wonder if sam's club has the regular quilted northern.....). fast forward a few nights later, i'm watching late-night TV and notice a commerical for this stuff with a money-back offer if you're not completely satisfied. and i'm completely not, though i know the receipt is long, long gone.

why did i feel compelled to blog about this? because this toilet paper is gross and i'm out $17. i just want to spare someone the same horror. i mean, try it if you must. buy it if it's on sale. you might even like it.

but just in case you don't, save that receipt!

this i know

2009-07-27T11:37:00.001-07:00

i know many women before me and many women after me will mother a clan of all boys.

males are highly prized individuals in many cultures and some really do cherish their three or five or eight male children and don't really feel like they're missing anything by not raising girls alongside their sons. like sincerely cherish. i know this.

and i'm feeling that way, now, mostly. except when i am blindsided by the most adorable pair of toddler girl jeans with cute flowers and butterflies embroidered on them. or sweet, little pink sandals that would resemble something i'd wear, but in a totally respectable manner, not in a "i'm trying to turn my three year old daughter into a skank" sort of way.

but is that it? allow me to ponder whether or not my materialistic-ness (a better word escapes me, right now, as i nestle a heavy sleepy baby boy to my bosom) is the only thing that would be satisfied by having a daughter.

surely, others can relate. i know this. but is that really all there is? does it come down to cute baby girl clothes and well, playing dolls? and by playing dolls, i mean dressing them and combing their hair, not having a batman action figure hitch a ride with dora and her mom, in their minivan. true story.

okay, so batman and dora make a lovely pair and i'm not complaining about my three year old's terrific ability to blend characters for imaginative play. in fact, i am rather amused by it. i'm just trying to figure out, in an effort to grow as a person, if i am so shallow that i really only wanted a daughter as an excuse to go shopping!

i mean not having a little girl certainly doesn't bother me when i see my friend's twelve year old daughter sprouting real, actual, for serious, breasts. nope. i actually breathe a sigh of relief when that happens and count my blessings that i am not now mothering a 13 year old girl, but rather a 13 year old boy that only wants to use a ceramic flat iron to straighten his hair but doesn't also want to wear make-up, short shorts, bra-strap revealing tank tops, and *gasp* go to the movies with the cutest boy in eighth grade, or even high school. yes. i'm counting my blessings right now...i mean, of course i'd have some ground rules and never allow my young teenage daughter to dress like that or go out with boys, yet, however i was a young teenage girl once. and we won't go there.

i suppose the answer to my current mind-examination will not come quickly or easily. perhaps i will never know. my 13 year old did suggest the other day that i just start my own line of children's clothing. for boy children. but i don't know...there are boy mamas that have done something similar and either cater exclusively to girl mamas by making the sweetest clothing ever (think: matilda jane) or make clothing for children in general, not catering to one gender over the other. and see? the problem isn't that i think the world lacks cute clothing for boys (even if girl clothing is so much more exciting!). quite the contrary.

there is an impressive range of adorableness out there for any style and budget, from the wonderfully vast array of handmade clothing, to the modern classics found at mini boden and garnet hill, and the assortment at gymboree, the gap, or old navy. and let's not forget that the good ol' classic carter's has re-vamped their line and appeals to those of us looking for simple, easy-wear play pieces and in their newfound simplicity i must admit that i think their boy clothing is much cuter than their girl clothing. tea and rabbit moon have also produced some of the sweetest classic boy apparel i've ever seen. i could go on and on. obviously, my children are not missing out in the aesthetics department simply because they are boys. it's just that when i see mini versions of free-spirited hippie-like clothing that i would have loved to wear as a child, i get a little weepy for the daughter i'll never have. and i just really don't think that i could ever be clever enough to market prairie skirts or shirts with antique floral designs to the mothers of little boys, for their little boys.

of course, the thought of designing clothing that society deems appropriate for little boys does seem exciting because one can never have too many choices. but right now i think i'll focus on raising my boys and outfitting them in what's currently available. considering that i don't even know how to operate a sewing machine (yet), they'll probably thank me when they grow up. but every now and then i'll stop myself. and ask myself why i really, truly ever wanted a little girl. this will most likely occur as i am walking through the children's clothing department because no matter how i try to avert my eyes from the girl section, i will inevitably catch sight of some adorable pink and brown floral thing that could never fall into the "gender neutral" category. and i'll get a little sad.

i know this.

and it's okay.

i sense some bitterness

2009-06-12T09:57:00.003-07:00

perhaps dilbert's mother never had that daughter she always wanted.

i saw this cartoon, one morning, as i was reading the sunday paper, weeks after it arrived on my driveway (who has time to read it the morning it's delivered?) and it struck me as not very funny, but maybe i understood some of the psychology behind the mother's lack of interest, if i read too much into it, of course. it reminded me of how i never want to parent my sons with indifference, not as children and not as adults.

of course, i have no idea what scott adam's issues are with his mother or why he made this particular comic strip (can anyone argue that it has nothing to do with his own mother?) but for some reason, in my fuzzy, exhausted head i felt like sharing it. now, even weeks after i first read it and started this blog, i cannot fully explain the impact it had on me.

2001-01-01T22:24:00.000-08:00

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