tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313237068085113022024-02-06T20:40:40.438-08:00Wee Mama BirdMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-37768182163739692572015-10-30T11:04:00.001-07:002015-10-30T11:04:43.051-07:00Recall: Auvi-Q Epinephrine Auto Injectors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSPhX6TGPZO0Yj8rBeRfkpBWq2h5dxLlm-LPtgIzWBjHgHibxGespqZJV09mmYiFDBaAcBjVrnjWk_zaNwPv5wbZUHUV2zD55HOI_N21ndyxa3c_NcUx-NIjOkvRjfvJq2hD_QBxSsD8/s1600/auvi-q.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSPhX6TGPZO0Yj8rBeRfkpBWq2h5dxLlm-LPtgIzWBjHgHibxGespqZJV09mmYiFDBaAcBjVrnjWk_zaNwPv5wbZUHUV2zD55HOI_N21ndyxa3c_NcUx-NIjOkvRjfvJq2hD_QBxSsD8/s1600/auvi-q.png" /></a></div>
Do you or a family member suffer from a serious allergy? If so, and you have an <a href="https://www.auvi-q.com/" target="_blank">Auvi-Q</a> on hand for allergic emergencies, you'll want to read about this recall.<br />
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Sanofi US is voluntarily recalling ALL Auvi-Q epinephrine auto-injectors. This includes ALL lot numbers and ALL medication strengths.<br />
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<b>Reason for the recall: </b>Routine testing found that the products may not deliver the proper amount of medication when used. If someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), this may result in not getting enough medication, which can result in serious consequences and can be fatal.<br />
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<b>What you should do:</b> If you have one of these on hand, you should contact your prescribing doctor immediately to have another brand of epinephrine auto-injector prescribed. You should <i>only</i> use an Auvi-Q in the event of an allergic emergency if you have no other option. Like always, you should also dial 911 or local emergency medical services immediately afterwards.<br />
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When you pick up your new epinephrine auto-injectors, save your receipt. Sanofi US will reimburse your out-of-pocket costs.<br />
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<b>Who to contact:</b> If you have questions about this recall or want to know how to return your Auvi-Q auto-injectors, you can call 1‑877‑319‑8963 or 1‑866‑726‑6340 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.<br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-75668731435879449382015-05-27T08:13:00.000-07:002015-05-27T08:32:25.461-07:00Bunny in motion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DTwzOdwCpKf1y2rNVnSXArOOlNjAhWeA2zCEKBXQqD76a-IuiuhCFdGSss60Sgwhkfq6X0X1jWwnr9zbC5zMa3u9EpQ4Ea8vBLd0FHRIa8Kl1NDZuALO4vfZ6mPmaPFAzn3s7C0AoH4/s1600/bunny-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DTwzOdwCpKf1y2rNVnSXArOOlNjAhWeA2zCEKBXQqD76a-IuiuhCFdGSss60Sgwhkfq6X0X1jWwnr9zbC5zMa3u9EpQ4Ea8vBLd0FHRIa8Kl1NDZuALO4vfZ6mPmaPFAzn3s7C0AoH4/s640/bunny-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On our way to school this morning, Lauren spotted two bunnies. She took a few pics, and Google made them into a GIF.<br />
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<span id="goog_179207161"></span><span id="goog_179207162"></span><br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-73148174520918883282014-11-26T09:25:00.001-08:002014-11-26T09:25:18.602-08:00Urgent recall of Acme Smoked Fish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4oDRae_D0KH_mDlMCtaAKmzj9KcwtyCoPfgspgpkPRF5qB1JCI9cSoxNWZuyNKOO_zigvAUg93TZeItlefn1QzORlXZnBnkCERfrdHXNyvChSZwNWz6qDIoekUvAgTBhRR1GdAaLTcM/s1600/fish-recall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4oDRae_D0KH_mDlMCtaAKmzj9KcwtyCoPfgspgpkPRF5qB1JCI9cSoxNWZuyNKOO_zigvAUg93TZeItlefn1QzORlXZnBnkCERfrdHXNyvChSZwNWz6qDIoekUvAgTBhRR1GdAaLTcM/s1600/fish-recall.jpg" /></a></div>
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Giant Food, out of Landover, Maryland, has issued a recall of 564 pounds of Imported Acme 4oz. (113g) vacuum packs of Smoked Nova Salmon. The affected packages are from lot L.05122014. It's being recalled because it <b>may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes</b>.<br />
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According to the <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm424832.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">FDA press release</a>, "This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy persons may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women."<br />
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Giant Food operates grocery stores in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.<br />
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Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services discovered the contamination after random testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one 4-ounce package.<br />
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Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.<br />
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Consumers who have purchased this product should return it to the store or throw it away.<br />
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You can contact Acme for further details and full refunds 718-383-8585.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-18659741898944108692014-11-04T17:29:00.003-08:002014-11-04T17:29:24.659-08:00It's not winter, but maybe it is<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oHe0VLxIhVQbCdk6umjkoh7nf5k1Z2Cjo_iAAQDf9BUwo0kEkvcWzI3nrAPfib-hZyLqlVhJFuc95Y8XWQeFfoF1oDgvhStPtreM_hG7OTK0L4USStU0vgcNlV1-GO_F3XGPtGjroq4/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oHe0VLxIhVQbCdk6umjkoh7nf5k1Z2Cjo_iAAQDf9BUwo0kEkvcWzI3nrAPfib-hZyLqlVhJFuc95Y8XWQeFfoF1oDgvhStPtreM_hG7OTK0L4USStU0vgcNlV1-GO_F3XGPtGjroq4/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is a man holding a barn owl in front of his face, because it's funny</i></td></tr>
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Daylight Savings Time ended just two days ago, and dammit it feels like it's winter already, with complete darkness by 6 p.m. every night. There are promises in the air of even earlier nightfall just around the bend, when it starts getting dark at 4:30 p.m.<br />
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What is this magic?<br />
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Unfortunately, the combination of the shorter days and the upcoming stress of the holiday season (which, in our family, is compounded by three back-to-back birthdays added in) usually contributes to a personal feeling of melancholy, and sometimes abject dread. On days like today, even though it is not yet winter, and when I have a lot going on that isn't really the greatest, those feelings threaten to overwhelm, and it sucks.<br />
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I'm not ready for winter.<br />
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I'm not sure I ever will be.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-32434989564050474022014-11-03T09:36:00.001-08:002014-11-03T09:36:30.836-08:00Halloween 2014: Zombie edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year, the girls weren't interested in <a href="http://weemamabird.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-doctor-who-halloween.html">Who-inspired costumes</a>. Thus, our costume planning was nowhere near as intense as last year, which involved dozens of little purple balls that needed to be attached to a tutu.<br />
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My 4-year-old decided early on that she wanted to be a zombie, which I thought was pretty awesome. She doesn't watch zombie anything, but she knows that they look cool and often are decorated with blood.<br />
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Then...<br />
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She saw an Elsa dress at Target and said she wanted to be Elsa.<br />
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While I encourage my kids to be individuals, I still have to let them choose what they want instead of what I want. When they're babies and toddlers, sure, they look how I want them to look, but at some point, they begin to show their own personality and embrace their own likes and dislikes. This has been difficult for me because I was super uninterested in mainstream culture as a teen, and remain so to an extent today.<br />
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However, Willow, who has watched Disney's <i>Frozen</i> dozens of times, is fairly enamored of Arendelle, its inhabitants and the story presented in the film. She's not hog-wild about Frozen, but she definitely likes it. And that's fine. But when she saw that costume and declared that she wanted to be Elsa, I admit that a part of me was thinking, "Crap. Just like a million other little girls. DANG IT."<br />
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I definitely thought it, but I didn't say it. Because it's not my job to judge what she likes. So I agreed and let her think about it some more, and soon she developed a new idea. "Can I be an Elsa zombie?" she asked.<br />
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Sure. Sure you can.<br />
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I got a fancy Elsa dress through a friend and ordered a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/110611603/5pc-natural-non-toxic-dye-free-face?ref=shop_home_active_3" target="_blank">non-toxic makeup kit</a> and we were set. And her big sister decided that she wanted to be a regular zombie and this was probably the easiest, least expensive Halloween ever, and it was still super awesome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2md1rlwug7VwATXmhkN3EdOlnTy9XoUsKJo9q3bo57r_ypKUyxUGMHdZLfaSO6fKLd9UrpTFVbEzWzJ7pe4ZJdlwF1GQCmPNur_5xEZo_aD7Hc7BOMmjjelwiMdJdsY70TRN7uo1IZ9Q/s1600/20141031_181047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2md1rlwug7VwATXmhkN3EdOlnTy9XoUsKJo9q3bo57r_ypKUyxUGMHdZLfaSO6fKLd9UrpTFVbEzWzJ7pe4ZJdlwF1GQCmPNur_5xEZo_aD7Hc7BOMmjjelwiMdJdsY70TRN7uo1IZ9Q/s1600/20141031_181047.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I also have to say that the makeup kit was great. I bought a 5-pack because they looked tiny and I didn't want to run out. And when I got the kit, I was afraid that they were still too tiny and they wouldn't work.<br />
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HOWEVER. I was pleased to find that a little bit goes a long way. We barely scratched the surface even after I decorated two whole faces. It also came with applicators and a tiny bar of soap, so yes, I would definitely recommend <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElegantMinerals" target="_blank">Elegant Minerals</a>. Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-43676703223122539852014-10-29T13:44:00.000-07:002014-10-29T13:58:23.721-07:00Adipose jack-o-lantern inspired by Doctor Who<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gdv7ahVrdrPUmTcM2wtkQ2aLcS6gzhSm9QKsCIaKaylWMPQrbQFUF1gMUhyJdt2R_clWd_x_0P6Wo3Q05qhfIeZop9hMueXpKHRc__1fGC7_6TeuQ0hSaRiwp0_CDsjxisonMuNhDvI/s1600/adipose-jack-o-lantern-unlit-doctor-who.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gdv7ahVrdrPUmTcM2wtkQ2aLcS6gzhSm9QKsCIaKaylWMPQrbQFUF1gMUhyJdt2R_clWd_x_0P6Wo3Q05qhfIeZop9hMueXpKHRc__1fGC7_6TeuQ0hSaRiwp0_CDsjxisonMuNhDvI/s1600/adipose-jack-o-lantern-unlit-doctor-who.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Well hello cutie</i></td></tr>
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Another Halloween, another chance to be creatively geeky once that amazing autumn holiday rolls around. This year, my girls are being a couple different types of zombies (instead of the <a href="http://weemamabird.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-doctor-who-halloween.html">DW-inspired characters</a> they were last year), so I decided to apply my Doctor Who love to our newly purchased pumpkin — so new, in fact, that I had to run out and buy one yesterday for this project.<br />
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Disclaimer: I have never carved a pumpkin with anything other than a gigantic knife. So I entered into this exercise with ignorance and excitement, thinking I could knock it out in 15 minutes or so.<br />
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Before starting, I realized that our regular knives wouldn't do the trick. And I also realized that I didn't have a pumpkin. So we went out only to discover that the first store was out of pumpkins. Thankfully, the second was stocked with four or five good-sized specimens, and I selected a decent one with a smooth-ish surface and a new package of cheapo pumpkin carving tools.<br />
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I perused an awesome <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/blog/2011/10/78-geeky-pumpkin-templates-let.html" target="_blank">pumpkin carving template gallery</a> I found on ThinkGeek's Blurgh! blog. As you will notice, there are tons and tons of nerdy options. I selected an Adipose baby from the episode titled <i>Partners in Crime</i> because it's one of my favorite episodes, they are adorable and the pattern looked fairly easy.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uD__LyLpymY" width="560"></iframe>
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I was ready to get to work. That's actually a fib. First, I recruited my eldest to chop a hole in the top and scoop out the innards, some of which we later roasted and ate (sorry, pumpkin, but you were delicious). While he was working, I printed out my template and wondered how I was really going to do this.<br />
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Fortunately, the pumpkin carving kit came with this really neat little tool, and yes, I had to rely on my child to tell me that.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Mc2M86fLRq1bgJsFUhMoU2C4MejK_P-UCzA137ChbvgvBVUps9By08JgJ0RTdp-oGrDVds3_-vZ8o4G9hLQWpH-vxOJycVZiYjxFX7ilc40MWapDLje9h4irgAt73VzUQZQUUpUW2s/s1600/pumpkin-carving-tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Mc2M86fLRq1bgJsFUhMoU2C4MejK_P-UCzA137ChbvgvBVUps9By08JgJ0RTdp-oGrDVds3_-vZ8o4G9hLQWpH-vxOJycVZiYjxFX7ilc40MWapDLje9h4irgAt73VzUQZQUUpUW2s/s1600/pumpkin-carving-tools.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cheapo pumpkin carving tool set</i></td></tr>
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See that little orange thing on the left? Turns out it pokes holes in things, and is perfect for punching out the outline of your pattern onto the pumpkin itself. Once I got the template piece of paper on the pumpkin, I was suddenly aware of how many tiny holes I'd have to poke to get the outlines of my little guy's hands <i>just so</i>. And then of course I'd have to delicately cut away with the tiny saw...<br />
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I persevered. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination as my choppy outlines and still-visible holes attest to.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZXg72fhmvu8TyRxeH2YHwlgiqIyLlt3DQ4rFjbzRE4Kz527xO9Ue1ReNNYNNd7YG_mDeoU-dMa0c6WXiTZt55PC7YSby0ZtVH-81XIVI9Y8UDZK75erUu5l_qdYrVmq5A3rY8JVC4-k/s1600/inexpertly-carved-adipose-pumpkin-doctor-who.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZXg72fhmvu8TyRxeH2YHwlgiqIyLlt3DQ4rFjbzRE4Kz527xO9Ue1ReNNYNNd7YG_mDeoU-dMa0c6WXiTZt55PC7YSby0ZtVH-81XIVI9Y8UDZK75erUu5l_qdYrVmq5A3rY8JVC4-k/s1600/inexpertly-carved-adipose-pumpkin-doctor-who.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Telltale pin holes and wobbly eyes</i></td></tr>
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Once I got done poking holes and carving my little Adipose baby, my hands were cramping up and a solid hour had passed. But I emerged victorious.<br />
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Happy Halloween.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ml-hWTU2kEWx_472rEdIYRveJtc8O87TROsn9nTSWzF92CTCQYmIzI7wNcD81xxIebxXxzJcFote0O9uN6IqCPc-xXho-Kdd7RndwmVRjSL9GosINSZH9lM3XBSUbWq1CDrT6Zbgc7A/s1600/adipose-jack-o-lantern-lit-doctor-who.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ml-hWTU2kEWx_472rEdIYRveJtc8O87TROsn9nTSWzF92CTCQYmIzI7wNcD81xxIebxXxzJcFote0O9uN6IqCPc-xXho-Kdd7RndwmVRjSL9GosINSZH9lM3XBSUbWq1CDrT6Zbgc7A/s1600/adipose-jack-o-lantern-lit-doctor-who.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I only burned myself a little bit putting this candle in</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-11187389876828744302014-10-29T11:30:00.000-07:002014-10-29T13:05:33.716-07:00Why I'm letting my kids stay up to watch the World Series<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BjI_Q80c_M5DaawgZGS4kQ7C-yadt_zySkFpr1XEW5A4lrAg7z2E-xQzDx6m6jFVTijz3ZPwF2r0vpaI5CQN3viQ2yCqE3T9ZaMI7YzGL2L02e8nzAKycGP_uDdsl4S8m2LVYFXuGcI/s1600/kansas-city-royals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BjI_Q80c_M5DaawgZGS4kQ7C-yadt_zySkFpr1XEW5A4lrAg7z2E-xQzDx6m6jFVTijz3ZPwF2r0vpaI5CQN3viQ2yCqE3T9ZaMI7YzGL2L02e8nzAKycGP_uDdsl4S8m2LVYFXuGcI/s1600/kansas-city-royals.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Royals/" target="_blank">Facebook/Kansas City Royals</a></i></td></tr>
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<br />
Tonight, the Kansas City Royals enter the world's stage for the last time in the 2014 season. For the first time in 29 years, they have been competing in Major League Baseball's postseason, and from the first come-from-behind win at the American League Wild Card game on August 30, these playoffs have exceeded all expectations.<br />
<br />
From multiple extra-inning thrillers to blowouts, the road to the World Series has been both an improbable one and really the only way it really could have happened. Of course KC would be in the World Series. Of course they'd sweep the ALDS and the ALCS. Of course they'd defy all predictions and their small-market status. Of course they'd belie their comparably low payroll and crush their competition. Of course.<br />
<br />
I don't know if they will emerge as the victor tonight, and while I'll be disappointed if they don't, I am incredibly proud of all they've accomplished. And as this is the first time in nearly three decades that they've been in the mix for a title, I will let my kids stay up to watch the game — this last hurrah, this win-or-you're-done, this Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.<br />
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Many of these playoff games took way longer than even I could stay awake for. I'm 40, I'm tired and I just can't hang like I used to. I've watched most of it, but not all, and my kids haven't watched them all either.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X4t1ZXILNcWMbV6CLDibPaoF2_yGDQx5grsydVY83mEMg_AHBkZToYZ_al1aH2vEucE9bmyygtSg8O5aLSKlkGC36HE4l1MjHUuZxA4rw0A4mMbvSKyuVelKRWno3sE5wnLr0vo7DYc/s1600/me-and-lauren-royals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X4t1ZXILNcWMbV6CLDibPaoF2_yGDQx5grsydVY83mEMg_AHBkZToYZ_al1aH2vEucE9bmyygtSg8O5aLSKlkGC36HE4l1MjHUuZxA4rw0A4mMbvSKyuVelKRWno3sE5wnLr0vo7DYc/s1600/me-and-lauren-royals.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We're at the K!</i></td></tr>
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However, this World Series, we've watched them all. While the only one of my four kids who likes and appreciates baseball is 15 and can handle going to bed late, even if the 4-year-old wanted to watch, I'd let her.<br />
<br />
This is a precious time, a moment that they may not get to relive for a long, long time. I was around 11 years old when Kansas City won their first (and only) World Series. Since then, the Royals have been shuffled off to the margins of the national consciousness as other teams get the highlights, the trophies and the dollars. Nobody cares about our low-payroll major league team — except those of us who remain loyal and have been for as long as we can remember.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpM6qgy5c6lGD16o5A5yqLcdUU5iiHWnB056bog77lJM9VJNTfkOCGLimssI6ZD-ID4LQnOeP1usMIAoyohHZ8T1I9dTQ9ygWxqHFW74OYia5jE4WQasVqZtTy85Slbcv5mAhZPLYsqE/s1600/mini-me-royals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpM6qgy5c6lGD16o5A5yqLcdUU5iiHWnB056bog77lJM9VJNTfkOCGLimssI6ZD-ID4LQnOeP1usMIAoyohHZ8T1I9dTQ9ygWxqHFW74OYia5jE4WQasVqZtTy85Slbcv5mAhZPLYsqE/s1600/mini-me-royals.jpg" height="348" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me, representing in the 1980s</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is an extremely precious time to be a Kansas City Royals fan. We can now enjoy the benefits of a team who has worked hard and played hard all year to get a chance at the postseason, and that hard work is playing off. We have endured being made fun of for supporting a losing team (earlier this year even someone made fun of my Royals shirt and I'm in the Kansas City area). And we've reflected on next year being our year, for many, many years.<br />
<br />
Well, this year may be our year. We haven't been this close to seeing Kansas City hoist the Commissioner's Trophy in a long, long time. I've enjoyed the ride, and I'm enjoying sharing it with my boy. I hope for a win tonight, of course, but no matter what, I'm proud to be a Royals fan. Thank you, Boys in Blue.<br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-76859138463240809762014-10-29T10:41:00.002-07:002014-10-29T10:41:59.779-07:00The Holderness family's Halloween video and how they minimize food allergies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLZOUfu2hrDiFsFda3y_jZf0mK-oDvKs6kJD2SHHJ4oWrXsBm2PfROT-EzxTtFKkdiiswbBf7zgYMORMSL6dO-1NEyawMmW7EeU4xQArX2H3nAIPQmoviodMBuNNzZDZXnczST2d7rfQ/s1600/brachs-candy-corn-not-peanut-safe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLZOUfu2hrDiFsFda3y_jZf0mK-oDvKs6kJD2SHHJ4oWrXsBm2PfROT-EzxTtFKkdiiswbBf7zgYMORMSL6dO-1NEyawMmW7EeU4xQArX2H3nAIPQmoviodMBuNNzZDZXnczST2d7rfQ/s1600/brachs-candy-corn-not-peanut-safe.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: YouTube/<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl2axinLKd00nMBW6RTASag" target="_blank">The Holderness Family</a></i></td></tr>
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The Holderness family made their way into our social media consciousness last holiday season by releasing a smartly-produced cheerfest called "Christmas Jammies." They've released a few other titles since, and the latest, "Kin and Moose," is a Halloween spoof on Snoop Dogg's 1993 classic "Gin and Juice."<br />
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It's clever, it's fun, it's colorful, and it's adorable. Right? For me, though, they've honestly never been my cup of tea and to say I cringe when I see their videos would be absolutely correct. I had no intention of pressing the play button when I first saw this video posted. However, after reading a comment from another mom, I had to watch it because she said that the family minimized kids and their families who suffer from food allergies.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AxSsYzrVPkY" width="560"></iframe>
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I'm sure those lines were put in without much thought, and they were definitely put in without actually looking at the <a href="http://www.brachs.com/products/candy-corn/" target="_blank">Brach's candy corn</a> they offered the complaining mother — all you have to do is look at the package to see that while they don't contain peanuts, they are not peanut safe.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3FZkDRTRBpfp2o5OMyF3dBseMCuJU2A9MajO3Efhv_T-TQ29ZNK14E12hdTvWp82tFI0zkSxK7pVZz_h-mFy7IWVao7qxDbYfmM99idTXGVIqNzm25Aw8d_Lha5JOwZ6htz3MApTVhA/s1600/brachs-candy-corn-ingredient.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3FZkDRTRBpfp2o5OMyF3dBseMCuJU2A9MajO3Efhv_T-TQ29ZNK14E12hdTvWp82tFI0zkSxK7pVZz_h-mFy7IWVao7qxDbYfmM99idTXGVIqNzm25Aw8d_Lha5JOwZ6htz3MApTVhA/s1600/brachs-candy-corn-ingredient.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image source: Brach's</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It's a sad fact of life for someone with food allergies that you have to scope out ingredient lists on everything your kid wants to put his paws on. Even if there are no actual peanuts in the product itself, if something is manufactured in the same facility or on the same equipment as products that do contain it, he can't eat it. Even a little bit of the offending food can trigger a dangerous reaction. So you have to be hyper-vigilant, which frankly sucks.<br />
<br />
Everyone, however, seems to be <i>over it</i>. Everyone is <i>so tired</i> of kids with food allergies. It has to seem like kids are cropping up everywhere who have to watch their diets. But what I don't get is the attitude that it's annoying to have to cater to a child's medical condition because you love your peanuts or cashews. It's certainly not a cause for protest when your child's school bans peanuts and peanut butter because your kid's right to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is more important than keeping a small child from possibly dying.<br />
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Joking about food allergies and other dietary needs (like when someone has celiac disease and has to eat gluten free) seems to be popular now — it's fodder for comedy routines and apparently Halloween music videos. Yes, a child will have to grow up and live in the real world where food allergies are a constant danger. However, while they're small, you have to watch out for them until they're old enough to do it themselves.<br />
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I just don't think that it's all that funny to minimize the real struggle families have to go through who face food allergies or other medically-indicated dietary restrictions. We should strive to make the world a more welcoming place, not actively work against helping one another out.<br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-12921767402974165732013-12-11T11:30:00.000-08:002013-12-11T11:38:13.578-08:00My last baby: On my new life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4tfZa94czXglVSFcDOtfPRGvDHdkhUfjaUL-aack9f4GLYBx3PZAx-8PIJeh4vAgThUwItE8HyqPRT-insJcp1dNZ7oxKK65qqLgWSliCg0FDeZff4SvkXvTGKdS-oqpIu_dp-ReBTY/s1600/willow-pregnancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4tfZa94czXglVSFcDOtfPRGvDHdkhUfjaUL-aack9f4GLYBx3PZAx-8PIJeh4vAgThUwItE8HyqPRT-insJcp1dNZ7oxKK65qqLgWSliCg0FDeZff4SvkXvTGKdS-oqpIu_dp-ReBTY/s400/willow-pregnancy.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>
I became an expectant mom early in life when I really wasn't expecting to. I was 20 and the positive test was a huge shocker, to say the least. After going through the classic stages of grief (seriously, I did), I really embraced pregnancy and the new life within. Once he was born, 18 long years ago, I realized what I had never known to be true — babies were amazing. I had loved the wonder and excitement of being pregnant and I loved having a new baby.<br />
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As he grew, it became so affirming to have someone to teach, someone to love, and someone to love me back. I hankered for a second baby by the time he was midway through his third year, and when he was closer to 3 1/2, his brother was born.<br />
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Again, not too much beyond his third birthday, I was pregnant with my first daughter. And four years later, I began trying for another baby. Unfortunately, it took an additional three years to conceive, but I did it — at age 35, I had my second daughter and now had a family of six. We were complete with two boys and two girls.<br />
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My youngest is on the cusp of turning four, and her baby stage is long over. She is learning to write, she can dress herself (and the results, of course, are amazing), she can use the potty and she can feed herself. She never used a crib, but if she did, it would have gone by the wayside by now. She still nurses and occasionally wants me to wear her, but these are rapidly diminishing aspects of her baby- and toddlerhood.<br />
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I am not going to have any more babies. For most of my adult life I was either pregnant, parenting a baby or young child, or planning a pregnancy. I'm on the verge of a big birthday myself as I prepare to brand myself 40 years old next March. I can already feel the effects of age creeping in, as some days my favorite thing is what happens at the <i>end</i> of the day — crawling into bed and feeling the effects of gravity go away as my joints settle into slumber.<br />
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I've entertained the thought of another pregnancy, but that's where it ends — simple entertainment. I felt like hell near the end of my last pregnancy, which ended four years ago. I had terrible acid reflux and my hips were so out of whack I arranged my workspace so that I rarely had to get up and walk around. Sleep was nothing but a yearned-for dream and heaving my giant carcass around was a task that I couldn't wait to be relieved of. <br />
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However, knowing how taxing another pregnancy could be, and how little sleep I continue to get with my crap-sleeper youngest child, and how much time and energy I spend on the four kids I already have, I can't imagine stretching myself further with a fifth baby.<br />
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Admitting that is hard. It may be one of the hardest things I've ever had to fess up to. Knowing that my reproductive years are behind me and that they are coming to an end feels a little like the first part of dying. I am going through, yet again, the stages of grief as I've realized that I will no longer house and birth another little person. I still follow cloth diaper pages on Facebook and I am still seriously tempted to buy some when big sales hit, "just in case." It makes me feel crazy, and it's painful. I sometimes tear up when I see someone's positive pregnancy tests.<br />
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I will say that it has been good to focus on my career, though, and to really, really enjoy my kids and the unique stages of life that they are in. It's fun to have a little one again this holiday season, as the magic is in full force with her. I have kids in school sports, I have one nearing the end of his high school career, and there is so much to look forward to over the next decades of my life.<br />
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In less than two years, this youngest baby of mine will toddle off to kindergarten. The thought is both exhilarating and terrifying. My time as the parent of a young child is rapidly coming to a close, but I'm working on pushing forward and focusing on the now — and the future.<br />
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Is it bittersweet? Yes, yes it is. But really, that simple, contradictory word doesn't even begin to cover it.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-21469215833277606422013-11-15T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-15T17:02:31.844-08:00How to recycle old crayons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDl1_PlIhN5PU0VUZ5wASEwCxKmpWpS6XPWQrJFPAEQumjV1V0q4sadmZLZgg5wQVeVO-NA5m3xcQUhn5PIo1StRAl7urnLNGVwWdAdoz-2ScltTC5ITY2ajDvkTJoo7xQV9grOWSfHA/s1600/finished-crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDl1_PlIhN5PU0VUZ5wASEwCxKmpWpS6XPWQrJFPAEQumjV1V0q4sadmZLZgg5wQVeVO-NA5m3xcQUhn5PIo1StRAl7urnLNGVwWdAdoz-2ScltTC5ITY2ajDvkTJoo7xQV9grOWSfHA/s320/finished-crayons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Just about every week, me and Willow go to the <a href="http://www.stjoemo.info/index.aspx?nid=250" target="_blank">Remington Nature Cente</a>r. In what she calls the "bug room," they have a bunch of rubbing plates nailed to a desk, paper and round crayons. Today, I asked how they made the crayons, and they said they bake them in an oven. I looked up how to do it, and it seemed easy, so we came home and made a half dozen.<br />
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Willow had, at one point, a small tote that contained the contents of an entire box of 96 Crayola crayons. This is a crapload of crayons. Over time, that number has understandably dwindled, with many going missing, quite a few getting trod on and snapped in half, and the others whittled down with use. We went through that tote and retrieved all the broken bits, and then I decided to break up perfectly good ones so we could have a solid six when we were done. The results were terrific. It was easy, and Willow then decided that we should do all of the rest of her crayons. My fingers are now purple and sore, but we have a ton of fun, "new" crayons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJI6GSepsrogLlKV2KSfbHjt1cdVdIkOLY2iU1_LigUkM7fAlK32wkO4t0LatdT2ALcvwAhbCMVBO-jPS9VAvY_Svx-PkTQCpR9sEta_-7jufEf5SCLPAweZvDWOcNjdXf-X1J71e5Dw/s1600/peeling-crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJI6GSepsrogLlKV2KSfbHjt1cdVdIkOLY2iU1_LigUkM7fAlK32wkO4t0LatdT2ALcvwAhbCMVBO-jPS9VAvY_Svx-PkTQCpR9sEta_-7jufEf5SCLPAweZvDWOcNjdXf-X1J71e5Dw/s640/peeling-crayons.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here is how we did it.<br />
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You will need:<br />
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<ul>
<li>An oven, preheated to 275</li>
<li>Crayola crayons</li>
<li>Mini muffin tin</li>
<li>A timer</li>
<li>A refrigerator</li>
<li>A towel</li>
</ul>
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<b>STEP ONE.</b> Whether your crayons are broken or not, you will have to spend time peeling the paper off. This can be easy or it can be hard. It can also make you want to stab eyeballs (not that I felt like that, of course). I did surreptitiously chuck a few in the trash when I simply couldn't get them off, but even Willow was able to do most of the ones she selected.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EB7WlG-0cwxpxcHjayq2hEQgaJGFDIWS2XxzavYzOs456YV47FxZym4il_m0iOzVC6zKs5wlZoBsqXx9zK5Z0Wkrnus3Fy3hjLDQtlYm76hgnBa1L62znU_-8iX7KUwXm64vzLqwRyc/s1600/peeling-paper-from-crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EB7WlG-0cwxpxcHjayq2hEQgaJGFDIWS2XxzavYzOs456YV47FxZym4il_m0iOzVC6zKs5wlZoBsqXx9zK5Z0Wkrnus3Fy3hjLDQtlYm76hgnBa1L62znU_-8iX7KUwXm64vzLqwRyc/s640/peeling-paper-from-crayons.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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<b>PART TWO.</b> Admire your unpeeled crayon pile. It is impressive, admire it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVnZ5KtZbhxExdQckvJ46ioo7lAN1xWg10c6iJhRKJcit2LyEayjaQ19KZCNFrLAmXL_jNOMQrBKibMG1Wv8zsFVCzmos6MJ6xQtsUErz_pMYkYmXPt4wzxSQhiFy_meOtHsacp8m5gU/s1600/peeled-crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVnZ5KtZbhxExdQckvJ46ioo7lAN1xWg10c6iJhRKJcit2LyEayjaQ19KZCNFrLAmXL_jNOMQrBKibMG1Wv8zsFVCzmos6MJ6xQtsUErz_pMYkYmXPt4wzxSQhiFy_meOtHsacp8m5gU/s640/peeled-crayons.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>STEP THREE.</b> This part may be the most fun. Design your crayons. I discovered that three whole crayons will break up nicely and fit into one mini muffin spot. You want to make sure you fill each spot up as much as possible as the spaces between the bits disappear when they melt. You can put similar colors in each spot, or coordinating colors, or whatever-the-hell-you-want-to colors like Willow did in the upper right-hand spot. This makes it fun and visually appealing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoS8Y73k5G15MQcHC0eahs9Xm9sWXNF5u6Iy8QGYMEF6qEeof40PQB-7LxUkUBBe0I2SEQlZ26rHyeeXm8HYWCz473Pt2AZUcaUilXHkKOA-Zq76EwBqN8cCTQVTNW1dmYSxlPEadTO_U/s1600/broken-crayons-in-pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoS8Y73k5G15MQcHC0eahs9Xm9sWXNF5u6Iy8QGYMEF6qEeof40PQB-7LxUkUBBe0I2SEQlZ26rHyeeXm8HYWCz473Pt2AZUcaUilXHkKOA-Zq76EwBqN8cCTQVTNW1dmYSxlPEadTO_U/s400/broken-crayons-in-pan.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<b>STEP FOUR. </b>Bake those puppies. Ten minutes in the oven at 275 degrees was absolutely perfect for us. You might have to keep an eye on yours. But once they are melted, they are done. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>STEP FIVE.</b> Let cool on the counter, on a cooling pad or something similar, for 20 to 25 minutes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlMFEk2neBNin_jhiRiRas7SHPPk8xF32hkUnUuL4Gilcs-boZOMAxal37tkYZgHFP-YVBNJhhRuUQS6_m16BPamKq7rdwMxiYnEE9Rpa-2rJ3J6CafroWmcxAx5mNZ_aclS7udTKbsc/s1600/melted-crayons-in-pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlMFEk2neBNin_jhiRiRas7SHPPk8xF32hkUnUuL4Gilcs-boZOMAxal37tkYZgHFP-YVBNJhhRuUQS6_m16BPamKq7rdwMxiYnEE9Rpa-2rJ3J6CafroWmcxAx5mNZ_aclS7udTKbsc/s400/melted-crayons-in-pan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>STEP SIX.</b> Cool in refrigerator for around 15 minutes. <br />
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<b>STEP SEVEN.</b> Remove from the fridge, put the pan face down on a towel, and hope they pop right out. If they don't, you might have to encourage them a bit by smacking the back a few times. <br />
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<b>STEP EIGHT. </b>Admire your handiwork. And do it again, and again, and again, and again.<br />
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The fun thing about these is that there are tons of options. I think that a silicone baking pan would work better because you could pop them out easier, and they come in all sorts of fabulous shapes. You can experiment with different colors and combos. Don't use white, like I did the first time, unless you want your kid mad that the color doesn't show up in certain spots. Above all, have fun, and take care of your little fingers. I can barely type this. You're welcome.<br />
<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-70667777364790999532013-11-06T09:00:00.000-08:002013-11-06T09:18:09.057-08:00Awesome offer: Free baby leg warmers, only pay shipping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxAtTKEy9UCipEe8KCbDjNLmycwRwwTbFW2cXCQJQeYhvL61GhUIpFEizF5Y94UTukSh9lamfZnXcma67wJL0latrPgQ5nAZV5swizwxbrvqXiG2CJ_owbBvzmKpwFmvLi82TsRKxeBE/s1600/willow-baby-legs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxAtTKEy9UCipEe8KCbDjNLmycwRwwTbFW2cXCQJQeYhvL61GhUIpFEizF5Y94UTukSh9lamfZnXcma67wJL0latrPgQ5nAZV5swizwxbrvqXiG2CJ_owbBvzmKpwFmvLi82TsRKxeBE/s400/willow-baby-legs.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Baby leg warmers are such a cool invention. They are priceless when your child is an infant — pop a onesie on her, and a pair of leg warmers, and she's fully dressed. It makes diaper changing a breeze. For older babies, they serve to protect those little knees from bruising and damage as they learn to crawl.<br />
<br />
They continue to be useful even after your baby is no longer a baby. They are priceless during potty training, for sure. No pants, no problem, but legs can get cold. And the beauty is, there are no zippers or elastic to get in the way of an emergency potty visit.<br />
<br />
Also, my 3-year-old daughter recently wore some under a dress (the bee-colored "leggings" pictured here are Baby Legs). They can also be worn on the arms, even well into their school age years.<br />
<br />
I've seen a promo code for Baby Leggings posted multiple times, so I wanted to pass it along. The company said that the code will be good "while supplies last." When that will be, nobody knows, but getting five pairs of leg warmers for around $13 is a great deal. So hurry up and grab you some if you're interested.<br />
<br />
From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/babyleggingsllc" target="_blank">Baby Leggings Facebook</a> page:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
EXCLUSIVE THANKSGIVING FACEBOOK OFFER! <br /> <br /> Check out our amazing
offer! A promo code for 5 FREE pairs of Baby Leggings-a $50 value!
Choose from 70+ different styles! To claim this exclusive offer go to <a href="http://www.babyleggings.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.babyleggings.com</a> and use the promo code 'FACEBOOK' <a href="http://bit.ly/175jHI0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/175jHI0</a></blockquote>
<br />
Thanks Baby Leggings! These would also make great stocking stuffers for babies and toddlers on your Christmas list. Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-53305482748245620082013-11-05T08:00:00.000-08:002013-11-05T08:00:06.568-08:00Review: BobaAir Lightweight Baby Carrier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDaRXK0CqnfU3UqFTljmW9IAwvQ8yrCFWk7q-iTYPRIG-LETmtEWxBIdfQCHX4pmSuxp6JjEXctF7hZNQ9GyxnM7GHE42H_BAgveANX_noQdc2kEZhNtyAL0o0AmP10kYedS2bJFzImI/s1600/bobaair-baby-carrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDaRXK0CqnfU3UqFTljmW9IAwvQ8yrCFWk7q-iTYPRIG-LETmtEWxBIdfQCHX4pmSuxp6JjEXctF7hZNQ9GyxnM7GHE42H_BAgveANX_noQdc2kEZhNtyAL0o0AmP10kYedS2bJFzImI/s1600/bobaair-baby-carrier.jpg" /></a></div>
We received a blue BobaAir baby carrier to review, and I was blown away. The carrier itself is loaded with the same quality that Boba uses when creating all of their wonderful carriers, but the BobaAir has some unique features that busy moms and dads will love.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Features</h3>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.bobafamily.com/store/boba-air" target="_blank">BobaAir</a> ($65) has all of the same ergonomic features that the 3G and 4G have, but it's designed to be lightweight and super portable.<br />
<br />
What other quality baby carrier can you stash in your purse for backpacking adventures, for camping, for hiking, or even for an emergency when you've forgotten to bring your other carrier? Stick it in your diaper bag, keep it in your car — you never know when a baby carrier will come in handy.<br />
<br />
<b>The BobaAir is:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>100 percent nylon</li>
<li>Easy to clean </li>
<li>Adaptable for both front and back carries</li>
<li>Compact and self-storing</li>
<li>Complete with a sleeping hood and pocket</li>
<li>Suitable for parents of many sizes — it fits from 5'0" to 6'3" and its waistband fits from 27" to 56"</li>
</ul>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Our take</h3>
<br />
The BobaAir fit and carried my 3-year-old daughter very well. I love how comfortable it is (absolutely comparable to the 3G) and it's easy to get on and off. It's also a nice option for warmer days. I can't think of any other baby carrier that folds down so compactly, either. It fits well in my bag and is excellent for the adventures that we engage in as a busy family. <br />
<br />
I recommend this carrier, and love that it fits such a wide range of sizes. Both Mom and Dad can use it, and since it can fit children from 15 to 45 pounds. You'll get tons of use out of it.<br />
<br />
Two thumbs up.<br />
<br />
<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-24553017682334861602013-11-04T10:00:00.000-08:002016-05-21T08:03:33.397-07:00Slow cooker: Chicken enchilada chili (GF)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDMOF2d6JDlychByQMba3YfNYZUCNVJx4zBJ1K6WxwldlIy0pYDV_iw0FbywuuIiyDoj5uO-H2pOz8vPnkBg5WdILFqson5oWjOZmat0WWDeTkocz0hJL2LFayzvM67PRBWs5dUEYNSk/s1600/chicken-enchilada-chili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDMOF2d6JDlychByQMba3YfNYZUCNVJx4zBJ1K6WxwldlIy0pYDV_iw0FbywuuIiyDoj5uO-H2pOz8vPnkBg5WdILFqson5oWjOZmat0WWDeTkocz0hJL2LFayzvM67PRBWs5dUEYNSk/s320/chicken-enchilada-chili.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My older daughter has celiac disease. She was diagnosed in 2009, right around the time Willow was born (picture me, 9 months pregnant, watching my then-7-year-old daughter get put under for a biopsy, trying to calm Grandma and hoping the contractions I was feeling weren't the real thing — ha). Since then, I have, of course, researched gluten and all of its manifestations like crazy.<br />
<br />
And fortunately, so much more awareness is out there now about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. More products are labeling for gluten now, and restaurants are also getting in on the act.<br />
<br />
However, nothing really beats a home-cooked meal, and nothing beats that like a slow-cooked meal. I love my crock pot. Always have, always will. So when I discovered Stephanie O'Dea's website <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Year of Slow Cooking</a>, and realized that the recipes were gluten free, I was in heaven.<br />
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I randomly picked one that sounded good, tweaked it a bit, and the result was heavenly. I have included my version here, and linked to hers below. There is also no dairy in the recipe (the cheese is optional), so it's a great choice for my younger daughter who is allergic to milk. Also, if you're reading this on your tablet or phone, be sure to clean it off with <a href="http://wirelesswipes.com/" target="_blank">disinfecting wipes</a> before diving into the below recipe (because spreading germs is so yesterday).<br />
<br />
<h3>
Chicken Enchilada Chili</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Ingredients</h4>
<br />
1 1/2 lbs chicken (I used fresh boneless, skinless breasts)<br />
1 1/2 c. enchilada sauce<br />
2 14.5 oz cans petite diced tomatoes (garlic and olive oil)<br />
1 15 oz can of pinto beans<br />
1 15 oz can of kidney beans<br />
1 tbsp dry minced onion<br />
1 tsp chili powder<br />
1 tsp cumin<br />
Shredded cheese and plain tortilla chips if desired<br />
<br />
<h4>
Directions </h4>
<br />
Pour
enchilada sauce and canned tomatoes into the bottom of a 6 quart slow
cooker. Add beans, onion and spices. Stir to combine. Place chicken on
top.<br />
<br />
Cook on low for 6-8 hours. After 4 hours, remove
chicken, shred with forks, stir back in. Continue to cook for another 2
hours or so.<br />
<br />
If desired, top individual bowls with shredded cheese and crunched up tortilla chips when you serve the chili, of course, after <a href="http://wirelesswipes.com/" target="_blank">wiping splatters</a> off your phone if necessary.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Source </h4>
<br />
Slightly adapted from here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcrockpot365.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fenchilada-chicken-chili.html&h=BAQFTohLi&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2010/01/enchilada-chicken-chili.html</a><br />
<br />
Let me know if you try it, and what you think about it. Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-1304447510892326492013-11-01T13:00:00.000-07:002013-11-01T14:55:58.135-07:00Gobble and Grow Sprout Toddler Snacks giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jXkO3FD6sug9QqM3TGB52eavdAB3tuCZJ9AdgGV-YsXbvzRwpcT210tftmyLouqy-A1i0pjchSFgpdHp4hK6EfJo_PmJSOJ8z67Bn0IqptsaIMdu4xX_xOTzsasL1k4eCD9iZ4C2hyg/s1600/sprout-foods-gobble-and-grow-giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jXkO3FD6sug9QqM3TGB52eavdAB3tuCZJ9AdgGV-YsXbvzRwpcT210tftmyLouqy-A1i0pjchSFgpdHp4hK6EfJo_PmJSOJ8z67Bn0IqptsaIMdu4xX_xOTzsasL1k4eCD9iZ4C2hyg/s320/sprout-foods-gobble-and-grow-giveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Are you ready for a giveaway? You've come to the right place!<br />
<br />
Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Fifteen — yes, fifteen! — winners will be chosen at the end of the day on November 26.<br />
<br />
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Each winner will receive: One prize kit containing Sprout Organic Toddler Snacks, both the Fruit & Veggie Crispy Chews and Fruity Yogurt Bites, in assorted flavors. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/16IWFX7" target="_blank">Check them out here</a>, and share this giveaway with your friends and family. <br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/45b6c55/" id="rc-45b6c55" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531323706808511302.post-35851649082836738832013-11-01T09:23:00.000-07:002013-11-01T09:43:51.391-07:00A Doctor Who Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZqCswDNigGgKkV0-GFMEJJhE1DdezGClmulh0hbH022AC0RoCvQBw-3PJNWCISTVo6jNJbrWnNxBIjySQTrMlzOqar5HWrbUClicvuzxkXs8pAXMqS0nGeX3p_7VvEi9IWoR7060djw/s1600/willow-play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZqCswDNigGgKkV0-GFMEJJhE1DdezGClmulh0hbH022AC0RoCvQBw-3PJNWCISTVo6jNJbrWnNxBIjySQTrMlzOqar5HWrbUClicvuzxkXs8pAXMqS0nGeX3p_7VvEi9IWoR7060djw/s400/willow-play.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Happy Halloween from my girls who, along with myself and an older son, are huge Doctor Who fans. I was happy they wanted to dress up as characters from the show. My 10-year-old girl chose to represent the <a href="http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/11th_Doctor" target="_blank">11th Doctor</a>, and my 3-year-old girl wanted to be a <a href="http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Dalek" target="_blank">Dalek</a>. The Doctor costume took some work to find, but with a lucky thrift store find (a slightly-too-big jacket for $6), a bow tie from JC Penney and a fez we found at Spirit Halloween, it came together nicely.<br />
<br />
The Dalek costume, however, was a bit more work. It involved part of a pattern of a dress I've made a dozen or so times before, about 35-40 yards of tulle (for real), two rolls of ribbon, a dozen craft styrofoam balls and cotton fabric and pins to cover them with.<br />
<br />
I had initially wanted to talk her out of the idea — I wasn't sure I had the time nor the inclination to create such a costume. She's been into Harry Potter lately, but she wasn't interested in being Hermione Granger, which would have been far easier to assemble. However, she insisted, and over the course of two days, I did it. I'm glad that she never wavered and I didn't refuse.<br />
<br />
They really didn't spend a lot of time posing for photos, but I got a few that hopefully represents the time and dedication it took to pull these off. They had a good time trick-or-treating and it was adorable watching my little Dalek become so excited every time someone gave her a handful of candy. She has a lot of food allergies so I had to pare down her selection quite a bit but she was extremely happy overall.<br />
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I can't wait to see what they come up with next year!<br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224081430848755393noreply@blogger.com0