Rat the Cat

I am well on my way to becoming a crazy old cat lady. I bought my cat those Beneful prepared meals for dogs (dog food is his favorite), so that he can have something special while we are having Sunday dinner.

KidZui Web Browser

Where was this a few years ago when my oldest downloaded a virus so bad that I had to do a clean install on my computer to get rid of it. KidZui is a browser with nothing but parent or teacher reviewed content. Children have access to over 500,000 websites, and parents get regular email reports on their child's activity. Sign up now to get the charter rate of $4.95 a month or $49.95 a year. The memberships are normally $9.95 a month or $99.95 a year. Unfortunately I don't think this would work at my house because my youngest loves YouTube, and I doubt all those Ultraman videos he watches would pass the muster of KidZui editors. Try it for 30 days free if you think it would work at your house.

Back To School

My boys are going back to school after Easter vacation today. We didn't do anything. I had plans but got sick after taking my youngest to Children's Hospital. But now it's time for them to go back to school, and I don't want them to go. They may be extremely noisy, but the chaos is so much better than the rush getting to and from school and activities. Well at least summer vacation will start soon.

Crazy

Wish that your kids stay little forever. My fifteen year old has lost his mind. This morning I walked into his room and he asked me if I had heard of knocking. Gasp!!! I told him "No, I didn't hear of much because I was so busy working to pay for the house that his room is in." Teenagers require too much thinking on your feet.

Bronze Pez Dispenser

I love this cast bronze Pez dispenser, especially how the pink of the candy peeks out of the cracked part. Check out Switthoft's Flickr photos. He also has photos of text messages he printed in braille and placed in leather corked bottles.

The History Channel

Am I the only person who wishes that the History Channel would go back to its old format of programs actually about history. It has become too much UFOs, looking for imaginary creatures, and reality tv. They are in danger of becoming the Learning Channel.

Gamefly

In case you didn't get your email Gamefly will be closed on Tuesday for inventory. They won't be shipping anything, so add a day to delivery time.

And on another note, Netflix gave a 5% credit for their website shutdown the other day.

Prom Dresses Part 4

The one size wrap dress edition...skip all those awful alterations. Or just re-wrap the dress half way through the prom for an all new look.

Twobirds Bridesmaids, Kara Janx, and Calypso Christiane Celle.

Car Seat Expiration Dates

Do toddler car seats expire like infant car seats? My nine year old's car seat was manufactured in 1999, and he still needs to be in a seat because of his low weight. We haven't been in an accident, but I was wondering if we should get a new seat. And a booster wouldn't be a good option, because he likes his five point harness. I think that's because I have a bit of a speeding problem.

Grand Chair Rocker

Rock your kid without your leg becoming so numb that you wish someone would just chop it off to end that tingling sensation. Designed by Jelte van Geest.

Jane Powertwin

43 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 31 pounds. It only accepts the Jane Rebel car seat, but Two Left Feet has them and delivers to the United States.

Available at Kiddicare, Two Left Feet, Let's Go Strolling, and Comfort 1st.

Crival System

Have a look at the Crival System Chair. It converts from a high chair, to a child's chair, to an adult chair. There is also a matching wall.

Rock N Roll Splurge Nursery Inspiration Board

Sirch crib, Vintage credenza, Aarino rocking chair, Wip Metro stroller, Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag, Standard Motion print, Equus rocking horse, Talib Kweli concert poster, Beastie Boys photo, Sir Hayes sleeping bag, and Super Natural Baby quilt.


This is the first inspiration board, the concert poster was my starting point. I'm sure the next one will be even better.

Britax Verve Stroller On Sale

Albee Baby has the Britax Verve stroller on sale for $89.99, down from suggested retail of $199.99.

Easter

Easter was lovely. Everything I cooked turned out perfect. The chicken was golden, except for the fact that I cooked it upside down. I only forgot the location of one of the hidden eggs, but we finally found it. I just wish I was more creative. Easter is so much better than Christmas, and I can't wait until next year.

Mutsy Slider

The seat of the Mutsy Slider snaps on and off the frame. That enables the frame to fold extra compact. You have to watch the video. The whole thing weighs just 29 pounds. $759.
Available at Goore's and Chit Chat Baby

Video by Sherigurock

Easter

Happy Easter everyone. The photos are of my youngest son coloring eggs, and my grandmother with the eggs from our chickens. She's taking some to church to give as Easter gifts.

Things My Son Forgot This Week

He forgot all the normal things this week: lunch money, books, to tell me things. But he forgot to do something this week that is unforgivable and made me furious. He didn't bother to learn his new aide's name. Every day when I would pick him up I would ask, "Did you ask your aide's name?" And he would reply, "No, I forgot". I had to threaten to ground him for the rest of the school year, but he finally asked. Autism or not, it was rude. He is finally functioning enough to at least fake common courtesy.

Chocolate Eggs

I realized something today that I forgot. I hate that chocolate egg project. It isn't that it's a hard project. I hate everything about chocolate. I don't like the way it tastes. And the way it smells upsets my stomach. There has to be a way to the project with jellybeans. Maybe if I covered the eggs with paper mache like a pinata.

Free Shipping

Free shipping at J.Crew on orders over $150. code: FAVORITE

Hauck For Two Tandem Stroller

The Hauck for Two tandem stroller has a traditional seat for an infant, and a seat behind that for a toddler. It's better than those ride on boards because there is a safety belt and a footrest. But it probably wouldn't work for a baby that needs to fully recline, and it is not reversible. 269.90Euro

Prom Dresses Part 3

For your dancing queen. These designer dresses are on sale. This a dress she will probably only wear once after all, and it's not her wedding. So you may not want to waste your money.

Sea black sequin dress, originally $449 now $134.70

Sweetface silk batwing dress, originally $268 now $80.40

Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, originally $488 now $244

Foley+Corinna silk jersey dress, originally $473 now $141.90- $236.50

Busy Planning Easter Dinner

I have been having problems deciding what to cook for Easter dinner. Usually I just cook ham in Coca Cola. But we always end up throwing out so much food after the holidays, it just seems wasteful. I thought about lamb, but only my grandmother and I eat lamb. So I've been searching around the internet for recipes of things I might like. I have decided on pepper crusted pork tenderloin with blackberry reduction, roast chicken, pear and cucumber salad, snow peas with lemon herb butter, and strawberry trifle. Those who won't eat the tenderloin can eat the simple chicken. I'm trying to cook things with not a lot of ingredients, and that won't take too much time. I always end up making so many trips to the grocery before the holidays, and I have to be in church. This is Jesus' big day, and I wouldn't miss church Easter to save my life. I'll post pictures Monday.

Billy Kirk Bag

I wish this leather and bronze bag was a diaper bag. If you pack wisely it could be.

Codex Transportica

My youngest has found a new word,steampunk. Everything is steampunk. The movie Tin Man is steampunk. And this book of fantasy vehicles is "very steampunk". I wish the Codex Transportica was a real book so that I could buy it for him. I just love how he describes the pictures. But if it were a real book he wouldn't be interested in it.

New Blog

Most good food blogs are by people without children, but here is a charming one that isn't. It's not so much recipes but a diary of the meals at a chef's house. I think Sweet Fine Day will be one of the blogs that I will be reading everyday. Aren't the marshmallows darling, they are one of things I refuse to buy. I make them because homemade marshmallows are so wonderful. And there is nothing better than a layer of fresh marshmallow on top of a cup of hot chocolate. Or a strawberry s'more. We even make s'mores at our gas stove in the winter.

Bonpoint

Hard to find label Bonpoint is finally available online at Little Fashion Gallery. It is sinfully expensive though. The little dress and bloomer above is about $200 US.

Where To Buy Nume

Very few places in the United States sell the Nume line of furniture. The pieces are beautiful and simple, and expensive. Generate sells almost everything in the line from the little booties to the canopy bed, including the beautiful cradles. $38-$1999.

Beautiful

Sweet Paul is the most beautiful blog on the web in my opinion. I wish I was that creative.

Baby Shoe Portraits

This is a cute way to preserve baby shoes instead of having them bronzed. You send your baby's shoes to Alisha Ard and she paint a portrait of them. It takes the concept of keepsake to a whole new level. And the portraits may just be the perfect Mother's Day gift. $120-250.

Little Miss Liberty Imperial Swan Cradle

For your little prince or princess. There is no other way to describe it. $5200, I kid you not.

Skinny Mini

I am always shocked when I see proof of how skinny my 9 year old is. The poor thing has a 15 inch waist. According to the Gap size chart that's about 10 inches to small.

Bad Mommy

Are babies Hollywood's new purse sized lapdog? Every Dlist celeb is getting one.

Prototype Baby Walker

Wonjune Song has updated the baby walker. Remember those dangerous things we used to toddle about in as children. But sadly this version will probably never be produced. Maybe if they called it a bouncer.
From Minor Details: they also have a cute little video posted today, check it out.

Buying Chickens

If you want to buy baby chick or ducklings, don't do it this week. Their price, and the price of rabbits, go up the week before Easter. And they don't make good gifts, baby chicks die really easily, and they poop so much. The dying part is the worst. You've spent your time explaining to a child that Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to explain why the baby duck can't do it. Wait to get the fuzzy baby bird until they have forgotten about the Resurrection.

Maxi-Cosi Mura Video

Things My Son Lost This Week

Wednesday- To take his lunch money to school. We had to turn around and go back home to get it.

Thursday- To bring home all of his textbooks. The school is allowing him to keep a set at home. Otherwise he gets so nervous that he won't have a book when he needs it, that he carries all the them all the time. His backpack weighed a ton.



Friday- To warn me that he forgot to turn in three English assignments this week. And then he was surprised that I grounded him.

Hot Wheels Easter Eggs

Hot Wheels collectors head to Target. They have large plastic eggs filled with cars in a six pack. I think Hot Wheels is trying to do a Hallmark and take over all the holidays. What's next a driedel filled with a car?

Skip Hop Vine Floral Crib Bedding

I love modern flower patterns.

High Chairs

Simple and affordable at$18.99 from Ikea. And...Simple and probably less affordable from Concord.