Month: March 2011

Calling All Recommendations!

Post author By Joy
Post date March 29, 2011

1) Does anyone recommend a great baby car seat you’ve had?

We do not have a car seat for this baby. The one we used for Chase & Charlotte was from a yard sale (unsafe idea, I know), and fell apart by the time Charlotte was done with it. I think we just threw it out. I have no idea what to get for our baby. Are convertible car seats the way to go? I like the ones that sit a little higher because they seem comfortable and they can better see out the windows.

2) Has anyone had an outstandingly wonderful stroller, particularly one with a Rider attachment?

I would also like to get a stroller. I’m going to be picky about my stroller this time, and not just get one off Craigslist. We like easy steering & adjustable handlebar(s) so Pace & I can both feel comfortable pushing it along. I don’t think I really need a double stroller because Charlotte will be turning 3 right after the baby is born (same age difference as Chase & Charlotte). But I’ve seen some amazing (aka expensive) strollers in magazines, like the Micralite with Rider. (I know, I know, Pace. Too pricey. But I like the idea of the stroller.) It seems just perfect for a slightly older child that doesn’t really need to sit in a stroller, but might need a break from constant walking. With the Rider feature, the child can just hop on the riding boards for a few minutes and easily get down.

OK, let’s hear it!!!

Family Fun

Simple Yet Awesome

Post author By Joy
Post date March 26, 2011

Yesterday, my friend Jamie and I were discussing (on the phone) how even though we’re aware that there are a variety ways to be a “Good Mom”, we sometimes still feel like we’re not very awesome because we don’t do super awesome things that other moms do. (I know that comparing ourselves to others is just pointless, because it discourages us & we’re comparing our weak points with others’ strengths. But I find myself doing so, anyway!)

I’ve felt like I should make more creative craft-type items with/for my kids, because “Good Moms” do things like that all the time, but then I just think that the $ and effort to purchase/gather all the materials (and perhaps just wanting to throw it in the trash after a few days) is not worth it!That’s just my opinion.

So I take a simpler approach and do things like the following:

–Make & eat homemade popsicles (for these, we poured 100% apple juice into molds & dropped a few blueberries into each one, too—kind of nutritious!):

(Those Ikea popsicle molds were certainly a great investment. I didn’t know if they would be one of those things that you think you’re going to use, but never do. However, we’ve made a variety of pudding pops, juice pops, & yogurt pops over the last couple years. So easy & cheap!)

–Build things together (or just watch your kids & admire their creations) is another simple yet great thing to do:

–Give them cookie cutters at lunch time to cut out their sandwiches and gobble them up! Easy & fun.

–And then there’s the simple pleasure of spending time together, doing ANYTHING. (The Hottie below is watching Duck Tales with his kids, and cuddling with them. He also enjoys taking Chase to Home Depot the 1st Saturday of each month to do the free wood craft.)

I mean, look how much fun Charlotte is having. Ha!

–Another simple activity is going to Story Time at the library, checking out books & movies, then playing on the playground there.

…That list isn’t too shabby! Even if I’m not very crafti-licious, we can still do interesting things.

So my point is this: If you’re like me & feel like you don’t do enough super awesome things with your kids, think again, because maybe the simple things you do with them or for them are more valuable & “awesome” than you originally thought.

Chase

Chase is learning new things

Post author By McAdmin
Post date March 26, 2011

I came home from work to find out that Chase had added to his pool of talents. (Backstory) Bracken and Katie are moving next month, and when we were over at their house Chase and Charlotte enjoyed jumping on their Love Sac (big bean bag). Then B&K gave it to us. (Yippie) First thing Chase did? He taught himself how to do a back flip!! At first I was impressed and then I thought about the hours up at night I’ve spent with him and how less valuable that would seem if he broke his neck doing a back flip. So I asked him to not do any more until he is older.

Then he showed me that he could read a book! Great work Chase, you the man! To the video Batman!

Chase

Chase Update

Post author By McAdmin
Post date March 25, 2011

In other Chase news: Chase turns 8 when daddy does his hair.

Deals

$100 bucks to think about life

Post author By McAdmin
Post date March 24, 2011

An email from my work. Email or IM me if you want to participate.

“We’re looking for a handful of people to participate in a handful of default future videos for the Change Anything website and we’d like to enlist your help!

We’re looking for people who have a long-standing bad habit or behavior that contributes to poor results in their life. The only thing we’d like to capture on video is their default future statement, or what will their future look like if they are unable to change their behavior. We’re particularly interested in in 4 categories:

Career (ex. If I can’t learn to hold my tongue when things get tense in meetings, I’ll be passed over for that promotion and eventually be shown the door.)
Finance: (If I can’t curb my spending, we’re going to lose the house.)
Relationship: (If we don’t figure out a better way to discuss our marital problems, divorce just seems inevitable.)
Addiction: (If I continue smoking, lung cancer is likely in my future and I may never live to see my grandkids)

Please let me know if you, a family member, or friend would be interested in participating. This is a great chance help on the new site and hopefull yto help thousands of other visit their default future in order to kick-start the desire to change. We’re also offering the the interviewee a $100 gift card to Amazon for their time, and we’ll give you, the finder, a free lunch at Malawis Pizza.

We’re hoping to shoot these early next week, so act fast if you’re interested. Please email me with any candidate suggestion by Monday the 28th.”

Charlotte Chase

Models

Post author By McAdmin
Post date March 21, 2011

These two could be in an Abercrombie catalog.

Ranting

Car Seats!

Post author By Joy
Post date March 21, 2011

Oh, my goodness. Rear-facing car seats until age 2 ?!?!? I know safety is important, but this seems over the top.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/21/car.seat.guidelines.parenting/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

Even as a little baby, like by 6 months of age, Chase was already going insane having to lie in his rear-facing in his car seat. I can’t believe they even say it’s fine if your kids grow and have their legs bent or squished against the back seat! That seems just plain cruel if you’re taking your kids on a long road trip. Thoughts?

Personal

Friday thoughts

Post author By McAdmin
Post date March 18, 2011

a businessman was at the pier of the small Tuvaluan island when a boat with a fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were fish. The businessman complimented the Tuvaluan on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The fisherman replied only a little while.

The businessman then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish? The Tuvaluan said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of you time? The Tuvaluan fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap with my wife, Puna, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitars with my friends; I have a full and busy life.”

The businessman scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You could sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would need to leave this small fishing island-nation and move to Australia, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise.”

The Tuvaluan fisherman asked, “But how long will this all take? To which the businessman replied, “15 to 20 years.” “But what then, sir? The businessman laughed and said, “Thats the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and make millions, flying around on your own corporate jet!” “Millions, sir? Then what?” The businessman said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing island where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends.”

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “Isn’t that what I’m doing right now?”

-Author Unknown

And Firefox 4 is coming out on March 22nd. 🙂

Family Fun

McBracket

Post author By McAdmin
Post date March 14, 2011

I don’t really like basketball, but I love clicking things. And Cotton made a March Madness tourni bracket called McBracket, so I had to go in and click away. Want to join in the fun for whatever reason you’d like? Get your Yahoo, Google, or Facebook ID ready and click away. Lets hope Joy’s Alma mater makes it all the way!
Join in the fun

Can’t click the link above?
Go to Yahoo.com
Group ID#: 30241
Password: charlotte</blockquote

Charlotte Chase Family Fun

My “Slaves” Hard at Work

Post author By Joy
Post date March 13, 2011

These two like to clean the windows. So, why not let them both clean at once?

Although they use WAY too much Windex and leave the windows all streaky, I love it when they do chores willingly like this. Chase takes his job seriously and tries to do a very thorough job. So cute. I know I must savor such things while they last!