tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13046755097244357482024-03-12T19:11:33.388-05:00Sara's Super Happy Fun Blog of AwesomenessSara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-10525603562222661762014-09-14T17:43:00.000-05:002015-01-09T12:29:52.057-06:00Nursery and Baby Name Reveal!Hey guys! It's been forever since I've blogged... I know, I suck. But for the past oh 9 months or so... I've had nothing but babies on the brain so I haven't been all that interesting to talk to. Haha. With my first two babies, I'd never bothered to have an actual "nursery", so I decided it would be fun to make an effort this time around with baby #3. Most of it was DIY. It was nice to have things to keep me busy and also quite low cost. I'll also reveal the baby's name for everyone since we've been keeping it to ourselves until now just because. Here it is! <br><br><br><br><Br><br>
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His full name is Varen Grey Baldwin. (The way we are pronouncing Varen, it rhymes with Barren, Darren, Karen, Erin, Arin, Baron, you get the idea.) Ever since Jason and I started having kids, I've always had a long list of girls names I liked, but no boys names. ..But we keep having BOYS, and so it's been hard choosing names. I was really excited when I recalled seeing this name before in a cool <a href="http://www.kellycreagh.com/">book</a> I read years ago and that Jason agreed to it!
As for the decor, I got the wooden letters off of Etsy and painted them silver, and I learned how to fold origami cranes so I could make that mobile. Isn't it neat?? I also sewed the crib skirt and blanket with some cute origami animal printed fabric.
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I sewed up this guy last night. He's my quick imitation of an <a href="http://www.uglydolls.com/">Ugly Doll</a> (since I just cant justify spending $20 on a real one). Isn't he cute? hehe
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We redid the chair in the left photo. I found the pretty blue slipcover at Target and my dear sweet Jason converted it into a swiveling rocker using the method I found <a href="http://www.mrswigglebottom.com/2011/07/turning-chair-into-swivel-rocker.html">here.</a> It was cheaper than buying a glider, and it was great to make use out of an ugly but comfy chair we had sitting around.
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I also redid a beat up dresser I found on craigslist, painting it and adding some new knobs.
<br>Before:
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<br>After:
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I did most of the art on the gallery wall myself, painting old frames and the shelf white. The "Love" canvas I found at walmart, and the mirror and hooks are from Hobby Lobby. The lamp is from Target. I sewed the changing pad cover and cloth wipes. My favorite is the "V" button art which was really fun to make. I just printed out and traced the V, and filled it in with buttons, beads, sparkly gems and charms glued on with craft glue.
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Here's a closer look: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zMpGVJ2kYsxjaQTyKuxOSGIkzQloFGLir5_Wumip3osPFlbAuzSojUBH6Q9lLMcxzR8Tb21PsEqX9aIGjRx_GBEAjqsgpYTL2mNBWnWJ3O3Fdcfj8cuyRlc21C9HYinOx4rCyVIjsefE/s1600/0DSC_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zMpGVJ2kYsxjaQTyKuxOSGIkzQloFGLir5_Wumip3osPFlbAuzSojUBH6Q9lLMcxzR8Tb21PsEqX9aIGjRx_GBEAjqsgpYTL2mNBWnWJ3O3Fdcfj8cuyRlc21C9HYinOx4rCyVIjsefE/s400/0DSC_0146.jpg" /></a></div>
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I stumbled across this in an old poem book I'd found at Goodwill and thought it would make a neat addition to the gallery wall.
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and lastly a colorful assortment of pacifiers in a pretty glass jar. I saw the idea on pinterest I think and just had to copy it. It reminds me of a colorful candy jar.
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one last shot:
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That's pretty much everything! I don't know much about interior decorating but I'm really happy with how it turned out. ^_^ Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to cleaning my house top to bottom because I'm Crazy Nesting Pregnant Lady right now. We'll be meeting Mr. Varen Grey very...VERY soon. ;)
Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-40185280410120627042013-09-04T19:39:00.000-05:002013-09-05T09:55:19.290-05:00Easy & Cute Pet Bed Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ_JL0gJsL5hbie3ZvSa-9s9_JjZZnvbYrQcs0OKtlOah_Rsq2aaE4ibq1qQKx0QvCwe-ahB7vN1rDodjj8Ud-jAHq7ssH-k7-RA43wzJcYrxbAQM0oeoVbtYKgFqkqWrBX6eZQbePRXb/s1600/0DSC_0214+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ_JL0gJsL5hbie3ZvSa-9s9_JjZZnvbYrQcs0OKtlOah_Rsq2aaE4ibq1qQKx0QvCwe-ahB7vN1rDodjj8Ud-jAHq7ssH-k7-RA43wzJcYrxbAQM0oeoVbtYKgFqkqWrBX6eZQbePRXb/s400/0DSC_0214+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
I'm getting a new cat tomorrow and I'm super excited, so to help keep me busy until she arrives, I decided to make a cat pillow out of some spare fabric I had. Turns out the cats love it, and its really easy to do if you have a sewing machine. (of course if you have one already, you probably don't even need this tutorial, you're surely a lot better than me. haha) I love this idea because you can make it one of a kind, in any color or design you want, to match the rest of your decor or taste preferences, and it's cheaper than buying pre-made beds too. You could do it all in one color, or have the top and bottom be different as it is reversible. I'll try to explain as best as I can because I know how frustrating too-vague sewing tutorials can be.. (we're not all experts, guys.)
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<b>1.</b> To start, find yourself some cute fabric on sale somewhere because fabric is crazy expensive. I got mine from hobbylobby.com because I never leave the house. Figure out how big you want your pet bed to be. For my cats, I used 22x22 inches of fabric. So in whichever size you want for yours, cut 2 matching sized pieces out a couple inches bigger than the size you're wanting, (to leave room for seams, and because once the pillow is stuffed it puffs up a bit).
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<b>2. </b> Lay the two pieces of fabric together, with the good sides of the fabric facing each other, so it looks like it's inside out. Stick a few pins in around the edges of the fabric to keep it in place, and sew along all the edges, but stop leaving a gap big enough to fit your hand through. I like to mark that gap off ahead of time with a little chalk because otherwise it's easy to forget about and sew too far. (Don't forget to knot your seams with the sewing machine by back-stitching a couple times every time you begin and end a seam.) <br> I grabbed a random piece of fabric and marked it off so I could show you in a photo what I mean, with stitch marks where you would sew, and where to leave the gap. I actually just had one big piece folded in half, so one edge didn't even have to be sewn. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqjithCK_S9KFvo3G_VOWlSqwOZTAq3j_uphXi2nzjEbnbKuR0UBTh8qlD2k2xZosupyzRjzNZMmeV9xDqyC7B4Kx2Hy01GOSB1vTm9nEWaB-8J5f6AwZUdSirZWymIc8fa9Dcyfb_d9G/s1600/0DSC_0218+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqjithCK_S9KFvo3G_VOWlSqwOZTAq3j_uphXi2nzjEbnbKuR0UBTh8qlD2k2xZosupyzRjzNZMmeV9xDqyC7B4Kx2Hy01GOSB1vTm9nEWaB-8J5f6AwZUdSirZWymIc8fa9Dcyfb_d9G/s400/0DSC_0218+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>3.</b> Then turn it inside out, so the good sides are on the outside as they should be. Sew a small X or something similar right in the center of your pillow (maybe about an inch wide?) That way once the pillow is stuffed, there will be an indent in the middle, making it extra cozy for your pet. <br><br> To find the center quickly, I just folded my fabric corner to corner twice and held my finger where the middle was to mark it with chalk once unfolded. otherwise you could just use a ruler to find the center too. (Also if you want to get fancy here you could maybe add a cute button, or a little bow, but I don't know how long it would last around your pet's nails.. just a thought though.) Also if you're making a different shape than mine, like a longer rectangle, you could do this multiple times, like 2 or 3 X's spaced out across the center instead of just the one like I did for my square bed. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFilgs4L4Bd3B0HdB223qIBpa9bFsOWZouYkx9_GceqzzzGKC6-BGWthwyvWfsCR9kd-5Q43dPD1U-4bJ_UUxJRFINkkPnfVD8CEyNI8nB8c_I11JWgVITxAd2lso8yOcPkgwVVBHVHEg/s1600/0DSC_0225+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFilgs4L4Bd3B0HdB223qIBpa9bFsOWZouYkx9_GceqzzzGKC6-BGWthwyvWfsCR9kd-5Q43dPD1U-4bJ_UUxJRFINkkPnfVD8CEyNI8nB8c_I11JWgVITxAd2lso8yOcPkgwVVBHVHEg/s400/0DSC_0225+(4).jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>4.</b> Next you'll want to stuff it with something plush, I used polyester fiberfill because it's cheap. (If you run out of it before finishing like I did you can always use fabric scraps, cut up old t-shirts, or re-use stuffing from an old pillow.) Try to really pack the stuffing in there tightly, adding as much as you can. It's a common newbie mistake to not use enough stuffing.
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<b>5.</b> Now all you have to do is sew that last gap up. Ideally you would want to use a hidden stitch like the Ladder Stitch. It's pretty simple to learn, and pretty necessary too for many sewing projects. I'm not fantastic at it but it doesn't have to be perfect because I really don't think your pets are going to mind. (and you can always just have that side face towards to wall too.) ;) Here's someone's tutorial on how to do the ladder stitch: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5CjOXMuTFXo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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And that's all there is to it! Later guys! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPvMu4IhCRE7Pvfs1DKwLoqZJxmxU23nuAchA7QvEBzIgly9yxoFZ7yBjWNfMNjK39r59VJ6Op1QcMi94m6QvfmJlCM0aSxRXJfoWfcrNXi3Y0IO5lP3RG1z_R9RIvBpbnihjwFQa0wv1/s1600/0DSC_0236+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPvMu4IhCRE7Pvfs1DKwLoqZJxmxU23nuAchA7QvEBzIgly9yxoFZ7yBjWNfMNjK39r59VJ6Op1QcMi94m6QvfmJlCM0aSxRXJfoWfcrNXi3Y0IO5lP3RG1z_R9RIvBpbnihjwFQa0wv1/s400/0DSC_0236+(4).jpg" /></a></div>Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-79423752859642570652013-08-15T17:10:00.000-05:002013-08-16T13:22:52.519-05:00 Sensory Bins for Kids! (in case I'm not the last parent on earth to be making these yet)The latest thing I'm excited about is SENSORY BINS for the boys! I had one as a kid, but I didn't know they had a name till now. Basically you get a big plastic bin, and fill it with any sort of material, then add extra little toys, cups, scoops, or tools and just let the kids have at it. The possibilities are endless and I'm excited to try different kinds. I thought I would throw another blog together with some ideas I've found around the web, in case you happen to be new to the idea too. They can be super simple, or very detailed. Kids just like having something they can dig their hands into to explore the textures and scoop and pour, but you can take it a step further too and CREATE YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD IN A BOX that kids can use their imaginations with, create stories, and use their senses to explore!
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One popular idea I have seen used is using uncooked white rice, which is fine on its own, or it can be dyed for different themes by adding a couple drops of food coloring, stirring it around or shaking it up in a Tupperware container or baggy, then microwave for 5-10 seconds then spread out to finish drying. (none of these photos are mine) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim99JHHr3jUANZ1nhL0m2nSlQWZn8ECYQaxK02Bl7sUYoJGcrygFClyWrInraqwLTh2pa_N_yDS6SASvH2AjLYDcjOH1zgKHPUf9olm9imJK3sJaOE2Mug6ogD1kQ09iqtf4DBX-pTL5KY/s1600/patriotic-sensory-play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim99JHHr3jUANZ1nhL0m2nSlQWZn8ECYQaxK02Bl7sUYoJGcrygFClyWrInraqwLTh2pa_N_yDS6SASvH2AjLYDcjOH1zgKHPUf9olm9imJK3sJaOE2Mug6ogD1kQ09iqtf4DBX-pTL5KY/s320/patriotic-sensory-play.jpg" /></a></div> you can also SCENT the rice with a few drops essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, etc. you can also even FREEZE the rice for outdoor summer play. <br>
Another fun looking one is <a href="http://mamapapabubba.com/2013/01/01/snow-dough-for-4/">snow dough</a>. 8 cups of all-purpose flour
1 cup of baby oil (or other oil)
1 small container of white/silver/blue glitter and wallah!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FXqrlGu4EiyDNdWPAVxmgh4PA9-MeUoH91JpvTlisc-ThyncucxUEjjdNiv83JlWx6zEuAfqJOeopJi-rYTrG5guFt7E8949OzqcA6OqUNmitwMPJoLGNxksrH6gVmKBVkbOfJRZtu-C/s1600/img_4090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FXqrlGu4EiyDNdWPAVxmgh4PA9-MeUoH91JpvTlisc-ThyncucxUEjjdNiv83JlWx6zEuAfqJOeopJi-rYTrG5guFt7E8949OzqcA6OqUNmitwMPJoLGNxksrH6gVmKBVkbOfJRZtu-C/s320/img_4090.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXbo06fFQHOCQb7W-v4KEHck3knAmxN4m8Hf-1j5isyxp-h9PoG667a02d5PgrvB_uDJctU2tqPuH8pnrRDADvdKldjUOVJvF71dKxGdEb7WeCYPOEnxzP5N7rDHqhJg2hmqXTG-sn1fR/s1600/img_4066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXbo06fFQHOCQb7W-v4KEHck3knAmxN4m8Hf-1j5isyxp-h9PoG667a02d5PgrvB_uDJctU2tqPuH8pnrRDADvdKldjUOVJvF71dKxGdEb7WeCYPOEnxzP5N7rDHqhJg2hmqXTG-sn1fR/s320/img_4066.jpg" /></a></div>
<u>More ideas include:</u> dried beans or peas, popcorn kernels, plain old dirt (Great for construction or garden themed bins) sand, aquarium gravel, colored glass stones, cotton balls, beads, confetti, tinsel, shredded paper, dry cereal, dry pasta, and also wet versions, like cooked spaghetti noodles dyed fun colors, mud, shaving cream, sand PLUS shaving cream, water and cornstarch mixed, or homemade goop AKA <a href=" http://www.food.com/recipe/flubber-134095">flubber</a>, and last but not least, WATER BEADS, the latest craze for kids. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi5D4x9OTGh-FwsWsxmHRpj_J6aAz62oel-OBgjCnluNO6mMsGZED3dm6Na1YfImZnswS3Y6zpSkYzQvNvimFR2XaEHjLz_tVFm4ZpARt06SgcSWAKMPXRPQVcWPbh0X70msChHCqNGhv/s1600/wb6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi5D4x9OTGh-FwsWsxmHRpj_J6aAz62oel-OBgjCnluNO6mMsGZED3dm6Na1YfImZnswS3Y6zpSkYzQvNvimFR2XaEHjLz_tVFm4ZpARt06SgcSWAKMPXRPQVcWPbh0X70msChHCqNGhv/s320/wb6.jpg" /></a></div> fill a bin with those and kids will have blast! they are cheap little beads that soak up water and grow in size, (also used to decoratively water flowers in vases.)They aren't sticky and wont leave residue on your hands, and they are nontoxic but should not be eaten. they can be found at many places like walmart, the dollar tree, or online. they also are fun to mix with shaving cream for yet another sensory experience. <a href=http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/05/the-wonderful-world-of-water-beads/">heres</a> a great blog explaining them more. <br><br> Messier themed sensory bins can be played with in the bathtub or outside or on a drop cloth. <br>
You can find cheap toys and things to add to them at dollar stores or just use things you have sitting around the house or things found in nature. <br><u>Some things to add to your bins could be:</u> spoons, measuring cups, aquarium decorations, small bowls and cups, glitter, scoops, tongs, funnels (you can make your own funnel by cutting the top off a plastic water or pop bottle) , silicone cupcake liners, ice cube trays or egg cartons for them to practice sorting, foam letters, cheap bags of plastic toys like undersea creatures, dinosaurs etc, shells, real or fake leaves,fake flowers, little flower pots, shapes cut out of craft foam like fish, or lily pads or seaweed, sticks and bark( could use as bridges), rocks, small dump trucks and other vehicles, people figurines, pom poms, toilet paper tubes, cotton balls, googly eyes, feathers, fake or real fruit, holiday decorations, party favors, you get the idea. <br><Br>
The first bin I made was cornstarch and water, but I added too much water so I threw in some rice to help absorb it, and some food coloring, a couple plastic dinosaurs and spoons, put the kids and the bin in the bathtub, and to my surprise it kept them busy for a LONG time (and wasn't even too hard to clean up)! It just goes to show that even the simplest sensory bins can be a hit with kids. <br> they can be covered and stored somewhere like a garage and brought out another time when you need something special to occupy the kids. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjld88UUChcomx0H5NqB7CjAFmR5yCmeSr-mjuWqkNbF5jC1KHSCWpqo9OkxXnwmz5XCaUdYrFTHagmpR5YKichcvqtqv71EhRSgQfU2hmD_z-jr7DS2mrY0S-xh_o8pBmCEgPJtxdOcBLv/s1600/img_5764_4651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjld88UUChcomx0H5NqB7CjAFmR5yCmeSr-mjuWqkNbF5jC1KHSCWpqo9OkxXnwmz5XCaUdYrFTHagmpR5YKichcvqtqv71EhRSgQfU2hmD_z-jr7DS2mrY0S-xh_o8pBmCEgPJtxdOcBLv/s320/img_5764_4651.jpg" /></a></div> Putting together different themed bins satisfies my itch to be creative, and gives the kids an opportunity to learn and have fun so it's a win-win. I thought I would post some examples so you can be inspired like I was :) (these are not mine.) <br><br> in this first picture, she cut out the bottom of can to use as a tunnel, and she found some plastic lids to use as a pond and cut one for a bridge. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRdpU09yjm6axbvi8OtLO6_-Sj2t-hJ-n0qbIucbAK-KyZ8m0J6q5OfZGtAg5DBIfvCiqmpZMDPY0WRkE9c434_6hehWgvjymhLnoo3nldiHz-2hjfw5HpaTtDAqvp7ZOhH8YMsmoXjTk/s1600/construction-sensory-bin-3-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRdpU09yjm6axbvi8OtLO6_-Sj2t-hJ-n0qbIucbAK-KyZ8m0J6q5OfZGtAg5DBIfvCiqmpZMDPY0WRkE9c434_6hehWgvjymhLnoo3nldiHz-2hjfw5HpaTtDAqvp7ZOhH8YMsmoXjTk/s320/construction-sensory-bin-3-300x225.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMBzh620KlF-xcJsxiRIuvXYHlMyRGh5mGctUj_CBztD0Jrd58OtJvGXv1kbvieKzI0_1JJDQD0IhU2aYOc2IkWZqD6g0UGA0vOT-9hbFSaZkMO3VchIETb7jEMhEh-rmyxPlG-D1foMq/s1600/IMG_2974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMBzh620KlF-xcJsxiRIuvXYHlMyRGh5mGctUj_CBztD0Jrd58OtJvGXv1kbvieKzI0_1JJDQD0IhU2aYOc2IkWZqD6g0UGA0vOT-9hbFSaZkMO3VchIETb7jEMhEh-rmyxPlG-D1foMq/s320/IMG_2974.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLeMMeiRODgZOwWQHIPLnwYQpmTXvTJv00YODWTXt79_Vw3o3hiuouykXLruB3fJ2ankK_VxMXgc5qqq0GH9aKPsbMC43C1Y6CGNwOwQJjJKaZrtgBHcez_nSpP5R-mrC5r9kAlbst2y8/s1600/sensory-box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLeMMeiRODgZOwWQHIPLnwYQpmTXvTJv00YODWTXt79_Vw3o3hiuouykXLruB3fJ2ankK_VxMXgc5qqq0GH9aKPsbMC43C1Y6CGNwOwQJjJKaZrtgBHcez_nSpP5R-mrC5r9kAlbst2y8/s320/sensory-box.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtESNKNoOD2LDGDhxKjb9OJJt9sbCYt-dk0chuFd9935k7YA5Ss1GF1xmJMy81R_0wPxwUxLw_31y79brVBvZn-mSr8aGRN6tojHIvitAsqp8xLe0qxF5pUc9sgRcXFVxRorWONFvo_C1/s1600/sensorybox3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtESNKNoOD2LDGDhxKjb9OJJt9sbCYt-dk0chuFd9935k7YA5Ss1GF1xmJMy81R_0wPxwUxLw_31y79brVBvZn-mSr8aGRN6tojHIvitAsqp8xLe0qxF5pUc9sgRcXFVxRorWONFvo_C1/s320/sensorybox3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVXVi77TmH8dvVGckgb-EMzN7AG9jSs9MZbcWl7LyR-ptANLPRZhxF5GSETCMW8-ijNaGlj2L1lHyPQRUkt-Mm9wmwmPABHMeryAsQMjaQTFcIxnSaWSlFMbRh-V-j4VZmC8op31VkzOw/s1600/Spaghetti-Sensory-Tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVXVi77TmH8dvVGckgb-EMzN7AG9jSs9MZbcWl7LyR-ptANLPRZhxF5GSETCMW8-ijNaGlj2L1lHyPQRUkt-Mm9wmwmPABHMeryAsQMjaQTFcIxnSaWSlFMbRh-V-j4VZmC8op31VkzOw/s320/Spaghetti-Sensory-Tub.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QsFVzBTCHY-8K-rEOy4P5rrNq_g9U6RTZFpzOZAXIt3knVX3BU1HiNAZjC7rLy8mvJdwYSC9odUh2suWryqe5KdbKpe7EW9jdrnoE9fjlBG58XPaG0EltWo0-o4hx9UigD6M_YeNRszD/s1600/springsensorybox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QsFVzBTCHY-8K-rEOy4P5rrNq_g9U6RTZFpzOZAXIt3knVX3BU1HiNAZjC7rLy8mvJdwYSC9odUh2suWryqe5KdbKpe7EW9jdrnoE9fjlBG58XPaG0EltWo0-o4hx9UigD6M_YeNRszD/s320/springsensorybox.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0xh8CA_ct_nXrOJJcDE02Oi-hPz38eCTghiqm8mrzObvy42FXzFLIkJ_5ocCy4XSkgXbWDkIdfshyfpneub7pl4O48mGycEyNCrMF3LXH27Nus0a0HNl1Ieig-8dpml1zkdMWvL2A96L/s1600/ABC.SensoryBin-1024x682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0xh8CA_ct_nXrOJJcDE02Oi-hPz38eCTghiqm8mrzObvy42FXzFLIkJ_5ocCy4XSkgXbWDkIdfshyfpneub7pl4O48mGycEyNCrMF3LXH27Nus0a0HNl1Ieig-8dpml1zkdMWvL2A96L/s320/ABC.SensoryBin-1024x682.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFslsnbWYbgXmT5oKNDVFzPSAUhlOJ2rqLerOCJf_eZE_CUiBxzVOoRfMSZrobBBTfuePoRskEBWeFroJDYK4mciv0NkL85-aNgNITiaq9mzj96UuPEQTAnpg6ddgMleiThRrZwqdOiUf/s1600/rubber-boots2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFslsnbWYbgXmT5oKNDVFzPSAUhlOJ2rqLerOCJf_eZE_CUiBxzVOoRfMSZrobBBTfuePoRskEBWeFroJDYK4mciv0NkL85-aNgNITiaq9mzj96UuPEQTAnpg6ddgMleiThRrZwqdOiUf/s320/rubber-boots2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9xc11b3BRtnlhwLxbEMasFLY1fVZ-VL9RwOsScxetTWLbkiBM8wKEWe84CJIfUHiAwCbUuonQzNZsVlUkC5-qfvY8DC4JzVJFBKA0mdw86SiylMUiNPXnWOt0TxvRQPjVtB7XqqYYqPj/s1600/this.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9xc11b3BRtnlhwLxbEMasFLY1fVZ-VL9RwOsScxetTWLbkiBM8wKEWe84CJIfUHiAwCbUuonQzNZsVlUkC5-qfvY8DC4JzVJFBKA0mdw86SiylMUiNPXnWOt0TxvRQPjVtB7XqqYYqPj/s400/this.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/dinosaur-sensory-bin-poppins-book-nook.html#_pg_pin=518036"> here's</a> an awesome dinosaur sensory bin
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jpcx2hztoUxhxzWi1i9smPLNteocg-9LNOOjuNt1I1Q63qVPDC4xa5ABC-Ol7eyBgmjVPDye4aZgglodEH2MVQrj4nel-ZJBEbo2yLUgUsXUlig_xAI8EAZIrRMbJohF1_Ts2r_Gsxup/s1600/524019bb5fb9b4b614475b495f45dfd9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jpcx2hztoUxhxzWi1i9smPLNteocg-9LNOOjuNt1I1Q63qVPDC4xa5ABC-Ol7eyBgmjVPDye4aZgglodEH2MVQrj4nel-ZJBEbo2yLUgUsXUlig_xAI8EAZIrRMbJohF1_Ts2r_Gsxup/s320/524019bb5fb9b4b614475b495f45dfd9.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-sensory-tub-playdough.html">heres" how to make this awesome halloween one.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3rskhJVZ5guJkw4nUVEGdg5tcaQaaf08JSEhH7wti4T86oY7f20iaHAhe71MUQhCgfkpVxDlNT746vczS0uRQeSW17Pnm_defHbi6RXRcHbIT8VjR1hLj0vZSZCkP5HwVZjGRtiXyqoR/s1600/25a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3rskhJVZ5guJkw4nUVEGdg5tcaQaaf08JSEhH7wti4T86oY7f20iaHAhe71MUQhCgfkpVxDlNT746vczS0uRQeSW17Pnm_defHbi6RXRcHbIT8VjR1hLj0vZSZCkP5HwVZjGRtiXyqoR/s320/25a.jpg" /></a></div>
<br>
another cool Halloween one could be with black water beads, those sticky squishy toy eyes you can buy, some slime (<a href="http://www.sheknows.com/kids-activity-center/articles/985845/kids-choice-awards-recipes-to-make-slime-for-kids">recipe ideas here</a>), and creepy crawlie bugs! <br><br>
another cute fall one <a href="http://sippycupcentralmom.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-sensory-tub.html">here</a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU4eQCBBSM1xFWqm5Uwvm189XkHm3dZwO0Ea41ApTBJujfdbqFZ3anEQ1bpqUx52xXRGgUmUo9onu6Q0Uxd9I2n5AvA784n-S6kMPUbCooqZgR_1z5UrmcTjRhyphenhyphenaQ9c-zwRyXFums-SO8/s1600/oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU4eQCBBSM1xFWqm5Uwvm189XkHm3dZwO0Ea41ApTBJujfdbqFZ3anEQ1bpqUx52xXRGgUmUo9onu6Q0Uxd9I2n5AvA784n-S6kMPUbCooqZgR_1z5UrmcTjRhyphenhyphenaQ9c-zwRyXFums-SO8/s400/oct.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/01/sensory-bins.html"> Growing a Jeweled Rose </a> has TONS of amazing ideas, check her out. <br>
<a href="http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2012/02/hunting-for-treasure.html">here's</a> a treasure hunt one she did using thistle seed and fake coins.
<br><br>
She even has "sensory play dates" where she fills kiddie pools up with different themed things like <a href="http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2012/04/more-group-sensory-play-set-up.html"> this </a> farm one:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iQm7LGBVrrsQKUPfa5AbLNQ8FBoh7x5Zz-qnAlj7hacr6KU7zAB7IT-TvcTZ00iZks1No_vG_I8XVpKFH_u3fh2COs492PK6s5iwRKyUVfWEecj7wZpb1I2_m1-P5iScyYFCM3gp5tRR/s1600/sensory+play+fun+on+the+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iQm7LGBVrrsQKUPfa5AbLNQ8FBoh7x5Zz-qnAlj7hacr6KU7zAB7IT-TvcTZ00iZks1No_vG_I8XVpKFH_u3fh2COs492PK6s5iwRKyUVfWEecj7wZpb1I2_m1-P5iScyYFCM3gp5tRR/s320/sensory+play+fun+on+the+farm.jpg" /></a></div>
and I love this digging for bugs one: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjrB75Xjc_Wr1Zxf5bLP2vnKmuHq75wU1Ou4kTyrsPB_Jd7pkJHkLRi4wV9k9Ai1tfTTkzVQW3EDRzhwGwV6XxUm4LW0i4Ir6wnk9Yf4s80JeOIiOD2vPAbBtmS68H1IIePQMOC8NFeEZ/s1600/digging+for+bugs+sensory+play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjrB75Xjc_Wr1Zxf5bLP2vnKmuHq75wU1Ou4kTyrsPB_Jd7pkJHkLRi4wV9k9Ai1tfTTkzVQW3EDRzhwGwV6XxUm4LW0i4Ir6wnk9Yf4s80JeOIiOD2vPAbBtmS68H1IIePQMOC8NFeEZ/s320/digging+for+bugs+sensory+play.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://happyhooligans.ca/2012/06/07/dinosaur-activity-bin/">this</a> looks like a really cool one too! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxryxN5cCUkkmO3I1RqKR00zw5BHH6cNXQDIEiCvwKlhBmnLJaqfBmV4-BF8naWnp09_SDgntlrbuYuwN6k5jeLV-qH3XoDwt_xl2PTFpAi5yHyikcoMRydJUkmVkkU_kbkiSEcJ4Oq_N/s1600/dinosaur-acitivty-bin-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxryxN5cCUkkmO3I1RqKR00zw5BHH6cNXQDIEiCvwKlhBmnLJaqfBmV4-BF8naWnp09_SDgntlrbuYuwN6k5jeLV-qH3XoDwt_xl2PTFpAi5yHyikcoMRydJUkmVkkU_kbkiSEcJ4Oq_N/s320/dinosaur-acitivty-bin-300x199.jpg" /></a></div>
water beads and glow sticks <a href="http://www.praisesofawifeandmommy.com/2012/02/orbeez-beads-and-glow-sticks-sensory.html#.Ug0vt20pjVA" >here</a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K4iMVh1LypNs1pYp9VUa37sV2D1ceVC0DaXBc7W3u_VXOu6DMbgl93aKMYao9DHc99SheAfcX-86pnGxLQ3KliUvWLE2za8RdlZh-aaSHqO5zLr0U9yj4HKumFaCNQ8t95NjCdPuhWnF/s1600/DSC05894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K4iMVh1LypNs1pYp9VUa37sV2D1ceVC0DaXBc7W3u_VXOu6DMbgl93aKMYao9DHc99SheAfcX-86pnGxLQ3KliUvWLE2za8RdlZh-aaSHqO5zLr0U9yj4HKumFaCNQ8t95NjCdPuhWnF/s320/DSC05894.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="http://mamapapabubba.com/tag/sensory-bin/">a super cute duck pond plus other great ideas here</a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa8U3unhSOJBW9aOwGkb0wkf_ufqMOLQW3-E6KERYFw0ItW9gYESMYnMi66SqnqAqB2sGN2Sj6hLt0dcWxq8aotIf_KSU88z_3jYXdIRS4oGhku0XGXD-JWArySvNmd4gFo3e9y5XLUZp/s1600/img_7960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa8U3unhSOJBW9aOwGkb0wkf_ufqMOLQW3-E6KERYFw0ItW9gYESMYnMi66SqnqAqB2sGN2Sj6hLt0dcWxq8aotIf_KSU88z_3jYXdIRS4oGhku0XGXD-JWArySvNmd4gFo3e9y5XLUZp/s320/img_7960.jpg" /></a></div>
adorable chick farm idea <a href="http://mysmallpotatoes.com/2013/03/30/lil-chickie-farm-a-small-world-play-farm-for-all-ages/?postpost=v2">here</a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8RP8LXxfX0XPwmTvdTE8Xzoo8y14aoustcsrCDSLUGtr9jDUJccVNNiipaiknDgDbJ_qiXg_arGfVkvEH3LiJ7YMiDCncT5lk2Qdd3BQNgtAJNdH2qVWdjPAlxvmQEgwmRcwXZ6odwM4/s1600/title7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8RP8LXxfX0XPwmTvdTE8Xzoo8y14aoustcsrCDSLUGtr9jDUJccVNNiipaiknDgDbJ_qiXg_arGfVkvEH3LiJ7YMiDCncT5lk2Qdd3BQNgtAJNdH2qVWdjPAlxvmQEgwmRcwXZ6odwM4/s320/title7.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.blogmemom.com/sensory-activities-pond-life-sensory-play/">pond sensory bin</a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RGkwnJ3_X98uTgGnAZupK95CS75n8q6HMm-QzvQ05x5BY5895Zo2NMBkDpkUCj2bDFmPB80f_f2MhKpyAJaxf76ApGtUZ2sJAuUnEfOaacwlxqCffET8Okq-MThIUDznty0TuHzWLkzz/s1600/SENSORY-ACTIVITIES-WITH-POND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RGkwnJ3_X98uTgGnAZupK95CS75n8q6HMm-QzvQ05x5BY5895Zo2NMBkDpkUCj2bDFmPB80f_f2MhKpyAJaxf76ApGtUZ2sJAuUnEfOaacwlxqCffET8Okq-MThIUDznty0TuHzWLkzz/s320/SENSORY-ACTIVITIES-WITH-POND.jpg" /></a></div>
and some more inspiration: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsoXtuH5VI9zLXMEuEzoA72mUc9r-iw8LfY_KRP5V-Hd3EFRb0JcpZHLz52mA09nFhU0YxsK-M4yzRn3bboAHOdVJIFSyYqZUntcDC-_TXf3UqNUtAs64d4C2V-J42Bp8CNPDQrOvWDuh/s1600/earthtitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsoXtuH5VI9zLXMEuEzoA72mUc9r-iw8LfY_KRP5V-Hd3EFRb0JcpZHLz52mA09nFhU0YxsK-M4yzRn3bboAHOdVJIFSyYqZUntcDC-_TXf3UqNUtAs64d4C2V-J42Bp8CNPDQrOvWDuh/s400/earthtitle.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSutEVsYrkhrSmAzq10cfiXZ0PnGCpV7IrCU84Omr7BuR0LuXEkK8Xqw39sqstlYeekrXPMjHVlCE-pmwDtoP2njZ7oy3Y9-DqxFKWFxIbPqvppOL49cN7Ik1qntAJZKvCkSpg3xDx4sj/s1600/nature+sensory+bin+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSutEVsYrkhrSmAzq10cfiXZ0PnGCpV7IrCU84Omr7BuR0LuXEkK8Xqw39sqstlYeekrXPMjHVlCE-pmwDtoP2njZ7oy3Y9-DqxFKWFxIbPqvppOL49cN7Ik1qntAJZKvCkSpg3xDx4sj/s400/nature+sensory+bin+0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0gebGH-hhyphenhyphenqz3PFZk6P-2wEF9XWxjpK87poFKcRxQ0ucvoYlwlna11TiVtY_mbw19oBOQGNNOgiRxPQI5-6ldXBJwB1yGmzHEb-iFdfa_sRKwwaYXo0WFpvl75a-uJ6_XiPawXewvGmX/s1600/P1000105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0gebGH-hhyphenhyphenqz3PFZk6P-2wEF9XWxjpK87poFKcRxQ0ucvoYlwlna11TiVtY_mbw19oBOQGNNOgiRxPQI5-6ldXBJwB1yGmzHEb-iFdfa_sRKwwaYXo0WFpvl75a-uJ6_XiPawXewvGmX/s400/P1000105.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfLtFhH8hAC3tGHDQG33rqRym26FXD6m9BoWiQRhTB6qS9L17ZGakyVgzCXqLXd-POqFqzDEdbObXXVx-LGe7dR-6j7T95g46FgnEgVAUwVmAsBUewXfmNNhunWBAZZNBhor_YSq5Ek2F/s1600/P1010962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfLtFhH8hAC3tGHDQG33rqRym26FXD6m9BoWiQRhTB6qS9L17ZGakyVgzCXqLXd-POqFqzDEdbObXXVx-LGe7dR-6j7T95g46FgnEgVAUwVmAsBUewXfmNNhunWBAZZNBhor_YSq5Ek2F/s400/P1010962.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lM1PD9T3O8Evdh_zOAJPYUwhE7KkICgbKLFpXJIz9EEyzDExcztPbyBKhp5PSyWxKz885NogUae0bBRRBZDnsMMCwaH1BvStGc9ibNWkzqE_FkcOEvDwBQOAEZGlUOs3V0ARYh6x9tJm/s1600/Patriotic+Sensory+bin+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lM1PD9T3O8Evdh_zOAJPYUwhE7KkICgbKLFpXJIz9EEyzDExcztPbyBKhp5PSyWxKz885NogUae0bBRRBZDnsMMCwaH1BvStGc9ibNWkzqE_FkcOEvDwBQOAEZGlUOs3V0ARYh6x9tJm/s400/Patriotic+Sensory+bin+fun.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99MM7v64-hr3XLCnRfm2llqyGgINsBzI3P5ogkDTzCHDmGdnbW5hMOaTRVUCi4_A2vUkUJfEl6NFRVYwWpeSU0nEHmi4nXB6nrx8dgYBrByjsZQvWoNqkM3UwvK1lrm3nm3QWDsu9UZ_r/s1600/sensory-bin-water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99MM7v64-hr3XLCnRfm2llqyGgINsBzI3P5ogkDTzCHDmGdnbW5hMOaTRVUCi4_A2vUkUJfEl6NFRVYwWpeSU0nEHmi4nXB6nrx8dgYBrByjsZQvWoNqkM3UwvK1lrm3nm3QWDsu9UZ_r/s400/sensory-bin-water.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCcVmCNpCSDRf5ebxPU3BLgEa-gB9MLFnfGh-bHjqLayEIxorO3GPjl70VJ0_xxTsqm0C-CPygYLvXuZXaOuSqa2jLTaTu4qHNXOp3ZHoy9N81ea2iwuustQSW1v4nfRGysRHBTaVUpvo/s1600/planting+flowers+Spring+sensory+bin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCcVmCNpCSDRf5ebxPU3BLgEa-gB9MLFnfGh-bHjqLayEIxorO3GPjl70VJ0_xxTsqm0C-CPygYLvXuZXaOuSqa2jLTaTu4qHNXOp3ZHoy9N81ea2iwuustQSW1v4nfRGysRHBTaVUpvo/s400/planting+flowers+Spring+sensory+bin.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mamamiss.com/2012/10/04/sensory-seek-n-find-fall-sensory-bin/">here's</a> an adorable fall "seek and find" bin idea with a printable so the kids can hunt for the hidden objects :)
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH_SVr39m9JyuOJDstBd-LufUUJ9ERrvvItQrzt0ktWzh7WhzK-eaGRwBt-rpTZ4DWkd4CztW1vhRq5VxVTE484v62LgIxgJ8ED4jj9wZ_YK26frNQU6aBjTDJ0wCFbbd6_ZvTbdlmKxF/s1600/fallsensorybinseeknfind3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH_SVr39m9JyuOJDstBd-LufUUJ9ERrvvItQrzt0ktWzh7WhzK-eaGRwBt-rpTZ4DWkd4CztW1vhRq5VxVTE484v62LgIxgJ8ED4jj9wZ_YK26frNQU6aBjTDJ0wCFbbd6_ZvTbdlmKxF/s320/fallsensorybinseeknfind3.jpg" /></a>
Aren't these just the neatest ideas ever? Hope you liked these too. There's SO MANY examples out there for every season, holiday and occasion, just google them! Laters everypony. ;)
Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-91365731192113536152013-02-23T01:11:00.000-06:002013-04-28T20:13:50.549-05:00How to make your own gummy candy!I know it's been a while since I've blogged.. I hope to post a few more in the near future. I thought I'd share how I made gummies today! I hope I'm not the only adult out there that still likes to eat candy. But even if I am, maybe your kids would enjoy these. I am sick of the typical store bought gummy flavors so I thought this would be a nice change. <br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT329AMxMCULbaCmjOpsbpeZlpqqvZQFJYJEG_wvHFYiijNaJo6BYmjVnfDtIPF4BXHzztxX_0VO_kOId5iZ0NfsFGavZZZOIAsUmxqR80tImZ3Pscs87JpBpglEzNlPW78XZMnWQRI_lQ/s1600/DSC_0686e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT329AMxMCULbaCmjOpsbpeZlpqqvZQFJYJEG_wvHFYiijNaJo6BYmjVnfDtIPF4BXHzztxX_0VO_kOId5iZ0NfsFGavZZZOIAsUmxqR80tImZ3Pscs87JpBpglEzNlPW78XZMnWQRI_lQ/s320/DSC_0686e1.jpg" /></a> <br>
It was pretty quick and easy to do. I made four batches today in no time at all. I got the recipe from <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/LeGummies-brick-shaped-gummy-candies/?ALLSTEPS">here</a> but he kinda talks a lot and seems to over-complicate things, so I thought it would better to just cut to the chase. He has a few extra tips though if you are interested. Anyway here's what you will need for one batch:
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-one package of flavored jello in the flavor and brand of your choice <br>
-3 packets of unflavored gelatin (there are 4 packets to a box) <br>
-1/2 cup of water <br>
-one teaspoon of vitamin c powder or crystals (or a 500 milligram pill crushed up)<br>
-a pot to boil water in <br>
-a Pyrex measuring cup to go inside the pot (or just use a double boiler if you happen to have one) <br>
-silicone candy molds or ice cube trays or something of that nature that you want the shape of your candy to be in
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs33lZqBdZCzl3GZWBHndn0SAv_fyUq1GGyw1y6VGRheLzhQrxJP5fOstGMZHYx5SMAL5JJVaAT-mG6baQp1z1zgYCu_8oKaDalItFOP0QwfJVvg9ntrIo9N89lRRHhV8qFcmAJ7_Keue/s1600/DSC_0675e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs33lZqBdZCzl3GZWBHndn0SAv_fyUq1GGyw1y6VGRheLzhQrxJP5fOstGMZHYx5SMAL5JJVaAT-mG6baQp1z1zgYCu_8oKaDalItFOP0QwfJVvg9ntrIo9N89lRRHhV8qFcmAJ7_Keue/s320/DSC_0675e1.jpg" /></a>
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So I just put some water in the pot (maybe fill it up a third to halfway up), and measured out 1/2 cup water in the pyrex cup and set the cup right inside the pot. I then turned the burner up to high so the water could start heating up. Then I added the 3 packets of unflavored gelatin and one package of flavored jello to the water in the pyrex cup and stirred it all together.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkdTQBYd6hiQ0ZxKJWLDpjmqk9WXD9t0cCgdeACvOEiCVO7OMpTGCX6f2he-2IelZ-z8W72UQkfQRpb_Dr3pURwJ9EaVPtxBhJOKtnZNnUBXEKf9IKuIBt6L_134r8guzafLVrWdEvFx3/s1600/DSC_0678e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkdTQBYd6hiQ0ZxKJWLDpjmqk9WXD9t0cCgdeACvOEiCVO7OMpTGCX6f2he-2IelZ-z8W72UQkfQRpb_Dr3pURwJ9EaVPtxBhJOKtnZNnUBXEKf9IKuIBt6L_134r8guzafLVrWdEvFx3/s320/DSC_0678e1.jpg" /></a>
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Once the water in the pot has been boiling for a minute or two, the jello mixture should liquify completely. Now you can stir in your teaspoon of vitamin c and turn off the burner. The vitamin c is ascorbic acid, which gives the candy a little bit of a bite, just a tiny amount of sour, which makes it taste just right. Without it, The gummies turn out too sweet and taste no different than just eating jello. So while you can make the gummies without the vitamin c, I strongly recommend you use it! Besides, vitamins are good for you. XD
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Once the powder is nicely mixed in, you can go ahead and pour the candy into whatever mold you have for it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxhpbn7SSM8fdhBA50ZIKQjdqk0Or5HTkdfjZens2JgnsaJ2-u76o_Jep7iVe9afPe3tynkpa8ReqshqIv3MrpECBr5Du-QEvtR8Hhs-ocsqjeHvWZ-VPfMpeNLOlya6GX4loo6xxNQQi/s1600/DSC_0681e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxhpbn7SSM8fdhBA50ZIKQjdqk0Or5HTkdfjZens2JgnsaJ2-u76o_Jep7iVe9afPe3tynkpa8ReqshqIv3MrpECBr5Du-QEvtR8Hhs-ocsqjeHvWZ-VPfMpeNLOlya6GX4loo6xxNQQi/s320/DSC_0681e1.jpg" /></a> <br> One batch takes up about 3 small molds like the ones in my pictures. (I had extra leftover not pictured..which I just poured into a cup and made it into a giant gummy which I gave to Jason haha!)or you can just go ahead and drink the rest once it cools a little bit.. not that I would ever do that *cough cough*.
You can always use a paper towel to dab up any extra that missed the mark. If you don't feel confident pouring the mixture into the little molds, you can use a syringe. Its less messy that way, but tedious, and not everyone has a syringe laying around. <br>
Now you can leave them out on the counter to set, but preferably move them carefully into the fridge. If in the fridge, they will set quickly and should be ready to eat in half an hour to an hour. You can tell if they are set by poking them. If they are really sticky, they aren't done yet. If you used silicone molds like I did, the gummies will just pop right out with very little effort. And that's all there is to it!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPiB94D-4O7mjauKwVNoNhco4Q0VuXHUhXz3wapnkMQ4kdXRaLJ5fFSjK53Xr5oZLi_PXUpwORwRYVW2KthOu4nqoyQjHkXgD2l4cGN13Cb7JU8NFlFAYZpSKQT0tspuZkF0D0axWqn2a/s1600/DSC_0688e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPiB94D-4O7mjauKwVNoNhco4Q0VuXHUhXz3wapnkMQ4kdXRaLJ5fFSjK53Xr5oZLi_PXUpwORwRYVW2KthOu4nqoyQjHkXgD2l4cGN13Cb7JU8NFlFAYZpSKQT0tspuZkF0D0axWqn2a/s320/DSC_0688e1.jpg" /></a>
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The amounts are variable of course, like if you want extra chewy gummies, start out with less water. like 1/3 of a cup. if you want super sour gummies, add more vitamin c. You can store them in a ziploc bag or a tupperware container. I left mine out uncovered overnight and they got a little dried out. (still tasty though, just chewier.)
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You could also experiment with different flavors of fruit juice in place of the water.
<br> For any spills- I just carefully dab a paper towel, sponge or rag into the hot water in the pot, and use that to wipe up any spills. The hot water turns the candy back into liquid so it's very easy clean up.
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The silicone molds aren't too hard to find if you look on amazon, but you might even be able to get them at the dollar store or walmart or probably lots of places. They can also be used to make fun shaped ice cubes or chocolate. I would recommend getting molds with more delicate thin shapes like the gummy worm shaped one in my picture. Those are more enjoyable to eat than a big chunky piece of gummy is. The smaller the shapes, the better IMO. I think it would be fun to get different themed molds for parties or holidays. I hope you guys will try this out!
Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-20327567837956571152012-01-17T09:26:00.011-06:002013-02-23T01:47:57.402-06:00My Coffee AdventureThis morning I woke up as a zombie. Only instead of brains, I needed coffee.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2VPjutpt3B0K_XsNM5qRagjnsu4_sW4WkWc6r9qbSiAEeas_wkRp9V1f7xOnnCZ2KPBjjpCHUaQmb88I2ZlEI2dZdl_3_mdj48FpZasa0o9Yk_QVxj4ac2QdCjSR4EtKjHfKop1jBVUh/s1600/148731_326447067428434_127583850648091_798016_1755516020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2VPjutpt3B0K_XsNM5qRagjnsu4_sW4WkWc6r9qbSiAEeas_wkRp9V1f7xOnnCZ2KPBjjpCHUaQmb88I2ZlEI2dZdl_3_mdj48FpZasa0o9Yk_QVxj4ac2QdCjSR4EtKjHfKop1jBVUh/s320/148731_326447067428434_127583850648091_798016_1755516020_n.jpg" /></a></div>
So I stumbled my way into the kitchen and realized I needed to clean the coffee pot first (because unlike some of you perfect people out there, I don't often remember to clean things until I need them again). So I started rinsing it out in the sink when I accidentally bumped it into the sink spout, breaking the glass and thus rendering the coffee pot unusable. <br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UEdxd9HybX0oNTwnMDnTpZVeO8WXZmbHa4te8AZFzMdC7tzM9iur-C2W9z9KLeGSIjWnU9MEb0HeQ8UmoQuB6LIoUIf8mJXxGwrrQ9Nk8496ygCwflKdvyjhl2Wf-GvbKq2BcocX2trA/s1600/I1326795291e1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UEdxd9HybX0oNTwnMDnTpZVeO8WXZmbHa4te8AZFzMdC7tzM9iur-C2W9z9KLeGSIjWnU9MEb0HeQ8UmoQuB6LIoUIf8mJXxGwrrQ9Nk8496ygCwflKdvyjhl2Wf-GvbKq2BcocX2trA/s400/I1326795291e1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698639571402356466" /></a>*super sad face* <br> I then began to hate the world and fell into deep despair. Then using what little brain power a coffee zombie has, I devised a plan. <br /><br /><br />I put a food strainer on top of a mug, and set a coffee filter in the strainer. I pinched the edges of the filter together on the sides and secured them with tape so the filter would not fall flat once wet. I then proceeded to add the coffee grounds and poured boiling water through. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIMdI2RDUuqWcEu91AdHwVNUMiEGlzlPqssm5H2PoDxhyphenhyphenvy1-6qun6nNLMuRzaBTO97NTBYpkfH-rQGW_RNZ_x7fchrVs6OL7domAPf9zaSL2SgzfjBVvlnC4O51ggZl0DJCXe-JfJZ0_/s1600/I1326795254e1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIMdI2RDUuqWcEu91AdHwVNUMiEGlzlPqssm5H2PoDxhyphenhyphenvy1-6qun6nNLMuRzaBTO97NTBYpkfH-rQGW_RNZ_x7fchrVs6OL7domAPf9zaSL2SgzfjBVvlnC4O51ggZl0DJCXe-JfJZ0_/s400/I1326795254e1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698640711999585618" /></a><br /><br /><br />It worked and surprisingly it didn't even spill a drop. So not only did I get to learn a valuable lesson that coffee zombies are not good with breakable objects, I finally got to enjoy my coffee after all. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />VICTORYYY!!!</span>Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-1896930722757094932011-12-28T16:57:00.047-06:002015-01-09T12:21:25.237-06:00My Rant about Facebook.Jason says if I post this, everyone will hate me. I hope not! As a disclaimer: I didn't have anyone specific in mind while writing this, Chances are I do find most of the things you post relatively interesting and appreciate you sharing them, and I do admit to being guilty of some of these myself.<br /><br />As lame as it might be, typically Facebook happens to be a big part of most of our lives. What we choose to post in a way affects other people on our friends list. In fact facebook is often my only link to old friends because I don't have my own phone. <br /> In general it would do everyone some good to THINK before sharing things. It's one thing if you are actually typing out statuses about your own life, original, personal things.. that is not what I am ranting about here. What I am talking about is do we really need to see 15 auto-correct jokes in a row? Do you really need to share 20 pictures of pretty flowers and rainbows every single day? 10 relatable "quotes" every day??? Just pick your FAVORITE and share ONE! ONE!!!!!!! If we like it, we can look into it more ourselves. <br />I am glad that you all share things. I just think we should post in moderation. and at least try to talk about whats actually going on our own lives more instead of just reposting stupid images all day long. Sometimes I see people saying snarky stuff like "if you dont like what you see, delete me." But really, I'm friends with you for a reason, and I don't want to unfriend you if I can avoid it. I don't know about you, but I only read so far back in my news feed for stuff, and sometimes I will miss interesting things people say because my feed was too full of stupid. Just do us all a favor and try to be a little <span style="font-weight:bold;">discerning</span> about what you post, because it takes up space and I hate to break it to you, but not everyone cares about what you care about. I know not everyone is interested in what I post, so thats why I just TRY TO POST LIKE ONCE OR TWICE A DAY. We are all very different people, and its impossible to please everyone, but MODERATION is the magic word here. .<br /> <br />
What gets on my nerves is when people seem to think it's their job to post funny or relatable sayings/ pictures ALL DAY LONG. Just because someone "liked" something you shared, doesn't mean you should let it go to your head and start posting crap like crazy. While I like funny stuff just as much as the next person, people still should exercise discretion instead of posting EVERYTHING THEY EVEN MILDLY LIKE. Do you see people like or comment on them often? if not, its a sign you could stand to cut back. In fact most of the stuff I see people posting, I've ALREADY seen somewhere else <b>multiple times.</b> and it stopped being funny or interesting after the first time I read it. There are entire websites dedicated to that, you don't need to turn my facebook wall into one of them. In fact a lot of it is just obnoxious,and sometimes even mean. Before you hit the share button, ASK YOURSELF Is this REALLY that great? and how many other things have I shared today?<br>ANYTHING can get annoying if you post it often enough and I don't like having to unsubscribe from my friend's posts just because they can't seem to control their impulses to share EVERYTHING.
<br /><br />Another pet peeve of mine (even if I have done this before) is when people post too vague things about how upset they are, or cryptic one word statuses, without explaining what they are referring to. What good does this do? I realize it's just a need you feel to express yourself without giving away a secret, but in the end saying "GRRRRR" is not going to make you feel any more understood, and since it goes without being understood by everyone reading it except you, it's simply taking up space in our feed. If you really need someone to reach out to you, be more specific. if you are upset, either keep it to yourself, message someone, or explain yourself! If you really HAVE to be mysterious, at least be willing to kindly explain when someone asks you what you're talking about. Otherwise you are just being a tease. <br /><br /> I hate status updates that try to guilt you into reposting because if you don't you are a BAD PERSON. Like "REPOST IF YOU ARE AGAINST ANIMAL ABUSE! or REPOST IF YOU HATE CANCER! Only 3 percent will repost, will you?"
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKtLa-MT5LWNjx4gIJkrZouLpXVu4IfV-krFfEADfD6T7t-4Hr2NM4nk7T65lHdHUPZNlI5cigXc3pWkOPUt9jZX9Hk-T7jS9TLVWM8I22Y2Utt3yEYWsWw5RaICwm7RnaHbaM8X6nIWK/s1600/doh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="275" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKtLa-MT5LWNjx4gIJkrZouLpXVu4IfV-krFfEADfD6T7t-4Hr2NM4nk7T65lHdHUPZNlI5cigXc3pWkOPUt9jZX9Hk-T7jS9TLVWM8I22Y2Utt3yEYWsWw5RaICwm7RnaHbaM8X6nIWK/s320/doh.jpg" /></a></div>
yeah cause everyone that doesn't repost must enjoy seal clubbing in their spare time. You do realize no animals are getting saved because you reposted that, right? AND everyone is already in agreement with you anyway? and please don't tell me you think the random percentages are real.. Or stuff like this that I see people share far too often: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCseEFOkfM_T9EJoIQT40H4lBfpRScQebWLLeVgZfhwtloRZt7rWKOibdt8O26Gnd6S3RzyMDfRlFT5SP5Ag3sbCVYodGywkHW8LjsqLvGO3sXT9U2ZiXoiu9du5XwD708FQPEH57NPKrm/s1600/0funny-pictures-auto-717308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCseEFOkfM_T9EJoIQT40H4lBfpRScQebWLLeVgZfhwtloRZt7rWKOibdt8O26Gnd6S3RzyMDfRlFT5SP5Ag3sbCVYodGywkHW8LjsqLvGO3sXT9U2ZiXoiu9du5XwD708FQPEH57NPKrm/s400/0funny-pictures-auto-717308.jpg" /></a></div> are you freakin' kidding me? This is the facebook equivalent of a chain letter and I doubt God wants to be dragged into it.
<br /><br />Or the ones that say "repost if you can read this" and the letters are backwards or upside down or with the letters in the words scrambled, as if only super smart people can read them. I facepalm every time I see those. Sorry to burst your bubble but, EVERYONE can read it. or "Repost if you find the four leaf clover!" when the photo is already zoomed on and centered on the four leaf clover. ugh. -_- <br><BR> Or what about that thing when women post things in code like where we like to put our purse or what country we are supposedly visiting, to confuse people who aren't in on the joke,which is admittedly mildy amusing, except that it's passed around in the name of "breast cancer awareness". <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH3mczNy7FAXvkILxTLkV1XKAO2hrytyGfeojbGOGtCatLX_g90YbS8REba2Cc1LZ8RRM4mw2CIH38IGqL-b8ew4FDfzNZhtFU_Nilj0urvebRc1JuBnyHXBU9T8olktqxryprwxN8ZGH/s1600/what-the-fuck-does-this-have-to-do-with-breast-cancer-awareness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="235" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH3mczNy7FAXvkILxTLkV1XKAO2hrytyGfeojbGOGtCatLX_g90YbS8REba2Cc1LZ8RRM4mw2CIH38IGqL-b8ew4FDfzNZhtFU_Nilj0urvebRc1JuBnyHXBU9T8olktqxryprwxN8ZGH/s320/what-the-fuck-does-this-have-to-do-with-breast-cancer-awareness.png" /></a></div> not to mention...
<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ldk2Gy8UcsYlK7Mv54M0zkRrQ1aNoOTPdQ5RRsFA7iVFCEmz7EWYDdxQwI6nuCNvChwSPQ7l0p9-r_8hXOXCeDZ1VdXmyrYJNbMEII0SCCxQZnbyNiVDY60hoznL8DZ-KFk4bQ1QkwaU/s1600/NVl4d.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ldk2Gy8UcsYlK7Mv54M0zkRrQ1aNoOTPdQ5RRsFA7iVFCEmz7EWYDdxQwI6nuCNvChwSPQ7l0p9-r_8hXOXCeDZ1VdXmyrYJNbMEII0SCCxQZnbyNiVDY60hoznL8DZ-KFk4bQ1QkwaU/s400/NVl4d.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691349306508888834" /></a> <br /><br /><br /> I understand people don't mean any harm. and generally these sort of things would not bother me, the problem is that I see them over and over and over again and after a while silly things begin to wear on me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3jKHBcKQqGlnVEswgGtJtSMd-eRz0qjZB5ngQ1jE-4P0pWyfCW-fM23XQAquv25COQ07k0yzjQ5drNX5KZDLnsAhU0fFqHHEsVlq_0mARMeuNQUTaDHFiavjfXKYOYLDmkrQZfez_Dyp/s1600/rwRFF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3jKHBcKQqGlnVEswgGtJtSMd-eRz0qjZB5ngQ1jE-4P0pWyfCW-fM23XQAquv25COQ07k0yzjQ5drNX5KZDLnsAhU0fFqHHEsVlq_0mARMeuNQUTaDHFiavjfXKYOYLDmkrQZfez_Dyp/s400/rwRFF.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691349449314093714" /></a>Another thing that gets to me is when people post snarky things about politics, or making fun of other people's beliefs. I see political posts all the time and I just think to myself "SO OBNOXIOUS!" I know you believe you are right without a doubt, but the problem is there are other people with different beliefs, that ALSO believe they are JUST AS RIGHT.<b> There are two sides to every story, and you don't know everything. so stop being so cocky. </b> It's one thing if you are just promoting a candidate or a religion you support, just do it without being negative.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cAq8Ur84EJGvPzLTR7rltVMENSJEcAF3FxO3udRKcAOyc8pJ27VpzGn3m_mAP_mDRqGyCuYlGVHEUAOLXP9_EI_nwaLXzTfNXLNfDGTX9ptSAel0-mpVrCHKjYwF2rEk-Tjmaq82hqMM/s1600/yes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="233" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cAq8Ur84EJGvPzLTR7rltVMENSJEcAF3FxO3udRKcAOyc8pJ27VpzGn3m_mAP_mDRqGyCuYlGVHEUAOLXP9_EI_nwaLXzTfNXLNfDGTX9ptSAel0-mpVrCHKjYwF2rEk-Tjmaq82hqMM/s320/yes.jpg" /></a></div>
Wouldn't it be better if people would focus on making FB a pleasant site to visit? I've found that it's really best to avoid posting about controversial things people feel really strongly about because in the end no one really wins. it just pisses people off and makes things tense. For every annoyed person that is debating with you over your post, there's a ton more annoyed people out there biting their tongues that you are unaware of because they prefer to keep the peace or just despise debating in general. I'm not saying debate is unhealthy, just that I wish you didn't try to have them in my facebook feed. Why not post it on your blog or a forum or somewhere else or just message your like minded friends instead. Heck, you can even advertise by posting "go to this link to see what I have to say about politics if you want!" So, those of us that <span style="font-weight:bold;">didn't</span> sign up for it, don't have to see it.(Just like none of you were forced to read this obnoxious rant of mine. You chose to click the link.) <span style="font-weight:bold;">I just want to be your FB friend</span>, without resenting you, or feeling like my beliefs are being attacked. Ok?
<br /><br />Lastly, PLEASE, for the love of EVERYTHING, stop bombarding us poor unsuspecting people with pictures of abused, cancerous, sick or starving children and animals!! PLEASE! I do not want to see a baby with a gun to its head or an animal that has been brutally murdered, etc. YES it is horrible and unjust but what good do you think you are doing by sharing it?? You are just making sensitive people like me SICK. I know your heart is in the right place, but it's actually just RUDE to upset people like that for no good reason. I know that a lot of the photos/ stories are actually hoaxes or just really old or more importantly,<span style="font-weight:bold;">do not do any good</span> to share. If it's a cause you truly feel strongly about, surely you can think of a better way to make a difference than simply sharing a photo. Please stop with the upsetting pictures. <br /><br /> THINK BEFORE YOU POST.<br> <br />That is all.Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-68297782129813095592010-04-30T23:35:00.017-05:002010-07-22T08:08:35.377-05:00our night during the stormI was going to write this on facebook but it's too long so here's a blog for you.<br /><br /> Today Jason, Aedan and myself went to our friend Mandie's house on base so we could do some painting. It started storming really bad and eventually the sirens went off and they announced over the loud speaker that tornadoes were expected and to take shelter immediately. So all 5 of us plus Mandie's cat and dog and a crib mattress hung out in her bathroom for most of the evening. The lightning and thunder was non stop, it was raining really hard and hailing in some parts and the streets looked like rivers and tornadoes were being sighted around the area.<br /><br /> We had ordered pizza earlier, and to our amazement the delivery guy still delivered our pizza in the middle of the tornado warning. He informed us that his brother's house had been hit and no one knew if he survived or not, and they weren't going to let him get off work to go find out! We wished the hardcore pizza guy luck, then we proceeded to enjoy the pizza in the bathroom till we thought it was safe to head home. We got in the car and after realizing the intensity of the storm and hearing the announcements on the radio we decided to stay at Mandie's a little longer even though it was getting really late. Jason made me laugh when he said "Our house better not be destroyed because I just bought Poptarts."<br /> So after it finally seemed to die down, we started heading home for real.. when the sirens went off again. So we decided better safe than sorry, and took shelter at the base gate (where people without military ids get temporary passes). There were quite a few other people in there waiting out the storm, some of which had seen the car in front of them get totaled by a deer and sent the deer flying into the air. As if the night wasn't interesting enough, a fight then proceeded to break out in the parking lot between a very angry taxi driver and a drunk guy. Jason tried to calm the Taxi driver down by apologizing for the drunk man's actions, explaining that not all Airmen were like him. Which seemed to work because then the Taxi driver complimented our baby. :p<br /><br /> After that excitement died down we drove home, while on the way witnessing the biggest streak of lightning we'd ever seen in our lives. We were thankful the roads weren't overly flooded and were able to get home safely. I hear there's been at least 1 fatality and 25 injured in this storm, so say a prayer for them. <br /><br /> Since living in Arkansas two things I've learned is that when it rains, it POURS.. and that since no one seems to have basements in this state it would be a really smart idea to build a storm shelter. I wonder how much they cost? That's all for now.Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-41964604310598342882010-02-04T07:38:00.033-06:002014-07-24T21:37:33.287-05:00Let's Talk About Cloth.My cloth diaper tutorial. <br /><br />I spent a lot of time on a mothering forum while pregnant, and one of the topics I learned about was cloth diapering. At first, I was skeptical, and overwhelmed. But I kept looking into it and when I brought it up with my husband, surprisingly he was already on board. "Saves money? Okay then!" So that was that. We began building up our 'stash'.<br />I've found that a lot of people just simply don't know anything about cloth diapering.. and that is a shame because its actually really easy, better for the environment, and can save people a ton of money. Plus, cloth diapers are just more fun.. they come in tons of cool colors and designs and there are so many different types to try out.. It's actually quite addicting. <br /><br />Cloth diapering has changed a lot over the years. They can be as easy to use as disposables. It might seem like a lot of information at first but trust me, it's easy once you learn the lingo. I'm going to try to cover everything you will need to know or at least provide some links to get you going. <br /><br />Let me first just say, I'm not completely against disposable diapers..But really, I just think cloth diapers are more fun. But there's always the option of cloth diapering "part time", which is what I've done some of myself. Disposables are nice because they are soo trim, fast to put on and you DON'T have to wash them. However, they create a huge amount of waste and cost a ton of money. They also contain a carcinogen and a toxic pollutant, and supposedly "prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis." See <a href="http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php">Why Choose Cloth Diapers</a> for more. <br /><br />Cloth has it's downsides too. Like mainly, having to wash them. I probably wash them every 3 days. Yeah it's extra work, but you just get used to it.(and at least you never need to make any emergency trips to the store for diapers.) Also, it's a big cost up front. It really varies depending on the type you buy, but generally speaking we are talking at LEAST a couple hundred dollars here (unless you sew your own.) However no matter how much your up front cost ends up, it still saves you money when compared with disposables. One cloth diaper may cost anywhere from 10-25 dollars for a single diaper, but disposables will cost you more like <a href="https://www.babyworks.com/cost-comparisons">2,000- 3,000 dollars per child</a>. You can end up saving thousands of dollars by using cloth. (You can reuse them for years, for multiple children.. and sell them when you're done.) Cloth tends to be bulkier than disposables. It's annoying because modern baby clothes are not tailored to fit over cloth diapers. Any pants that Aedan wears have to be at least one size larger than normal and even then it tends to be funny fit. If you use cloth diapers, buy your baby clothes extra big. <br /><br />There are many different types of cloth diapers. Flats, prefolds, fitteds, pockets, and all in one's are the main types. There are also a million different brands of each type. <a href="http://www.diaperpin.com/diapers/diaperpages.asp"> DiaperPin.com</a> has cloth diaper reviews by real parents and is very helpful in choosing brands! They all have their pros and cons, and vary in price. Usually the higher the price, the more convenient the diaper.<br /><br />Time to explain the different types. I'll start with the most complicated to put on.<br /><br /> <u>Flat diapers</u> are those big white sheets that need to be folded up a bunch of times that your grandma may have used to cloth diaper her babies with, which she would proceed to stick pins in and then cover up with some plastic pants. Some mom's still prefer them. They are the cheapest option. I've never tried them so I can't say, but there are tutorials on youtube if you want to learn more.<br /><br /><u>Prefolds</u> are similar to flats, but are basically already folded up. Its just a square of multi-layered fabric. (with more layers in the middle than the sides for absorbency.) These are intimidating to cloth newbies, but a favorite among many. Most people don't use pins anymore either (but you can if you want.) They can be held in place with something called a "Snappi" which is just a stretchy rubbery device with tiny plastic teeth that grip the fabric of the diaper to hold it in place. Then you can put the waterproof cover of your choice over them. I have a few of these but they aren't my favorite. Next to flats, they are the cheapest option. <a href="http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/diapers.htm">Green mountain diapers</a> seem to have the best quality prefolds. <br /> Here is quick video of someone putting on a prefold diaper and holding it in place with a snappi. Youtube is full of more demo's if you're interested. She's using the jellyroll fold which is what I also use. It's easy. <br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LjFJ5bxMnr8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <br>
and here are other ways to fold a prefold if you're interested. (skip ahead to 1:20 on the vid.)<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JDqa45EOHfE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><u>Fitted diapers</U> are next in line. More convenient than prefolds but more costly as well. They don't need folding, pinning or a snappi because they come with either velcro or snaps and go on the baby just like a disposable diaper. They are shaped like a regular diaper, very soft and absorbent, and VERY reliable at holding in messes! I like the brands <a href="http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/products/cloth-diapers/duo-fab-fitted/">thirsties fab fitteds</a> and <a href="http://www.kissaluvs.com/fitted-diapers.php">kissaluvs</a>. The only catch is these also need a diaper cover to keep the wetness from getting onto clothes, etc. so it's a two step system. I really like using fitteds though. <br /><br />With any type of diaper that needs a cover (flats, prefolds and fitteds), you don't need to have one cover for every diaper. The covers can be reused or just simply rinsed off in the sink and set out to dry. instead of going through the whole wash all the time, because they aren't the part that gets really dirty. So it supposedly saves you some money in that way. I would probably buy a little more than half as many covers as I had in prefolds or fitteds. <br /><br />There are different types of covers. Wool, fleece, and PUL. You can get covers in fun colors or pretty much anything you want. I've seen some with everything from chinese symbols to farm animals to skulls. You can even have some of them personalized. <br /><br /><u>Wool covers</U> need to be hand washed and lanolized. I have never used a wool cover, but most people that do use them absolutely love them and claim they don't need washing that often because wool is MAGIC. Well actually, it can hold up to 35% of it's own weight in liquid without feeling wet, and doesn't overheat your baby. See <a href="http://reviews.ebay.com/Wool-Cloth-Diaper-Covers-The-Comprehensive-Guide?ugid=10000000000884763">here</a> for more info. <br /><br /><u>Fleece covers</u> are similar to wool but more simplified because they can be washed with everything else and dont need lanolin like wool does. They are very soft and hold in messes really well, I believe some people prefer to use these overnight in particular. They dont have a waterproof lining, but they dont seem to need one either. I haven't had any problems with them, they just look a little funny to me. <a href="http://www.dancing-bears.com/Dancing_Bears/Fleece_Soakers.html">Dancing bears</a> makes quality heavy duty ones, otherwise there are some really cute cheaper ones on Etsy and elsewhere if you google fleece diaper covers. <br /><br /><u>PUL covers</u> are what I mainly use, and are probably the most well known and widely used. PUL stands for polyurethane laminate. which basically means they have a thin waterproof lining inside the cover so nothing gets out. These covers can snap on or velcro on. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thirsties-Diaper-Cover-Aqua-Medium/dp/B001TUYHCC"> Thirsties</a> are a very popular brand, definitely a favorite, and what I personally use the most of. <br /><br />Here's another prefold demo, where she uses a Thristies brand cover.<br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uuhe376L57g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uuhe376L57g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br />^Notice how her prefold is green? You can dye your white diapers with Dylon brand dye to add some color to your stash if you want.<br /><br />Next up on the list of diaper types are <u>Pocket Diapers.</u> These don't require a cover, because it's already built in. These go on just like disposables. The only difference is they have a pocket where you insert the absorbent part. You just stuff it in there and put the diaper on. They have a layer of fleece on the part that touches the baby's skin so it wicks moisture into the diaper and keeps baby dry. These are very popular.. I have a few qualms with them though. I think its annoying to have to shove my hand in the diaper to get the absorbent part in there just right. Once it's soiled you have to pull it back out before you wash the diaper otherwise it just gets bunched up inside and doesn't get clean. and the fabric is touchy. They have very specific washing instructions and I must have screwed it up with my <a href="http://www.bumgenius.com/one-size.php">bumgenius pockets</a> because the pee would just run right out the diaper instead of soaking through to the absorbent part no matter what I did. I do have some expensive <a href="http://www.rumparooz.com/catalog.php?category=65">rumparooz diapers</a> that don't give me any trouble. <a href="http://www.fuzzibunz.com/cloth-diapers"> Fuzzi Bunz</a> are also a popular pocket brand that I'm warming up to.<br /><br />Here's a quick video showing what a pocket diaper looks like.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0-_xmEWy00A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0-_xmEWy00A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's Aedan sporting his one size fits all pocket Rumparooz, as a newborn and again at 8 months:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImKbu7ISP7OoX1w2qFO04E2meFC4bJt2zH19qWXSfD_o3EUaS4hM-wMa3Rp1mHrx7h796-K2bQNTKBE5hMQ_EmeLXVjBT9LnvzDSeD7AoA5wjKdz2ZG1N8LRDTMXeDtQMLjB2xB7rX3R3/s1600-h/rumparooz+078e1fixed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImKbu7ISP7OoX1w2qFO04E2meFC4bJt2zH19qWXSfD_o3EUaS4hM-wMa3Rp1mHrx7h796-K2bQNTKBE5hMQ_EmeLXVjBT9LnvzDSeD7AoA5wjKdz2ZG1N8LRDTMXeDtQMLjB2xB7rX3R3/s320/rumparooz+078e1fixed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434470720047088594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YdQ1zTd6jrImmn3HCWnZIcwTRVOTuBtT_tEbhGAQdTmve76i26KoeKdMT2qWPSTGqlP_2qDg2Gv7u_jdx9zZVwV9Y8nEnuv7G5swvuj6dEH90iEfl8NZeyXDOKd53P8zs_hERbXHwFgQ/s1600-h/8monthsrumpa+029e1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YdQ1zTd6jrImmn3HCWnZIcwTRVOTuBtT_tEbhGAQdTmve76i26KoeKdMT2qWPSTGqlP_2qDg2Gv7u_jdx9zZVwV9Y8nEnuv7G5swvuj6dEH90iEfl8NZeyXDOKd53P8zs_hERbXHwFgQ/s320/8monthsrumpa+029e1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434470721893364882" /></a><br /> *ETA: He's now nearly two years old, and the one size Rumparooz STILL fit him. :)<br /><br />On a side note, some diapers claim to be one size fits all (like the one Aedan is wearing)but that isn't always an accurate claim. They usually come with snaps to adjust the rise of the diaper to grow with your baby. This is intended to save you money by not having to buy a whole stash of diapers in each size. Often times they are either too bulky for tiny newborns, or too small for older bigger babies. They are still nice to have, but depending on your baby's size and which brands of diapers you buy, you may still want some smalls and larges if you go this route. <br /> <br />Now for <u>All in one diapers</u>. They go on just like a disposable and super easy, great for people that may otherwise be resistant to cloth diapers. Similar to pocket diapers, only they are permanently stuffed. they also wick moisture away from baby's skin to keep them dry. These are the least intimidating type of diaper, but not quite the most popular. There are no steps in the middle, just put on and take off like a disposable. The cons are that it's supposedly a little harder to get clean in the wash and takes longer to dry, because you can't take the absorbent part out to wash it separately. I like them a lot though, especially when I'm feeling lazy or have an extra squirmy baby. There is definitely something to be said for simplicity. Check out these <a href="http://www.diaperpin.com/diapers/itemlist.asp?subcat=AIO">reviews</a> to find brands to try. There are "all in two" diapers which have snap in inserts, so they are sort of halfway between a pocket diaper and an all in one. <a href="http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/softbums-cloth-diapers/">Softbums</a> diapers are an example of All in twos. <br /><br />LASTLY, there are <u>Tongue-Style All in Ones </u>. (or at least I believe that is what they are called.) Basically they are like an All in One diaper and a Pocket diaper mixed together. Because the absorbent insert is attached at one end. it works it's way partially out during the wash to help it get clean and dry faster but it's easy to stuff back in. These are my new favorite type! The brands I have are <a href="http://www.bummis.com/us/en/easy-fit-diaper-hl.php">Bummis Easy Fit</a> (my favorite, they come in snaps or velco) and also <a href="http://www.kissaluvs.com/marvels_aio.php">Kissaluv's Marvels</a>. <br />This video shows you the bummis easy fit diaper<br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gfgExEICYKI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />PHEW! That's pretty much all the different kinds of cloth diapers. <br /><br />Just do a little surfing around and pick a few that appeal to you and give those a try. If you hate them, you can always sell them later. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people out there dying to snatch up your used diapers for a discounted price. If you like them you can reuse them for each kid you have, then sell them when you're done. Craigslist or Diaperswappers are some online places to do this. More people cloth diaper than you realize, and the numbers are only growing!<br /><br />Another thing to keep in mind is every brand's sizing is a bit different. And every baby is different too. Remember that until you actually use the diaper on your baby a few times, you can't know for sure what type or brand you are going to like the most. I would not recommend ordering a ton of one thing until you've tried it, as tempting as it may be. And also don't be quick to give up on cloth diapering if your first choice of diapers dont seem to be working out! For example we had tried some cheap no-name diapers off of Ebay that just turned out to be a total joke. <br /><br />Now lets cover the other details of cloth diapering. <br /><br />For a <u>diaper bin</u>, I use a plastic trash can, and line it with something called a wet-bag. A wet-bag has a PUL lining just like the diaper covers, so it keeps all the mess inside. When its full I just grab the bag and dump the diapers in the washing machine, and throw the wet-bag in right along with them. You're gonna want to buy two, so you have one to use while the other is washing. Some have drawstrings, some have elastic which is great for trash bins, and some have loops to hang from doorknobs. You'll need the large sized ones. <br /><br />If you use <u>cloth wipes</u> instead of disposable wipes, which only makes sense, you are saving another few hundred dollars per kid. They are washed right along with the diapers.<br /><br />For wipes, I use mostly baby washcloths since they are cheap, and colorful, but they aren't quite as thick as I would like. I love <a href="http://www.amazon.com/baby/dp/B0039VCRPI">thiristies fab wipes</a>, but don't have a lot of them. Diaperpin.com has reviews for cloth wipes too, to help you choose. (Or you can sew your own pretty easily if you're into that.) <br />What I do is I fold them in half and stack them into my <a href="http://www.princelionheart.com/site/n_bc_9001.html">Prince Lionheart wipe warmer</a>. Then I pour water over them. I keep the water in a gallon jug right next to the warmer and refill as needed. When I'm filling up my jug of water, I usually squirt a little baby wash or aloe vera gel and a few drops of tea tree oil to water, and shake it up, to make my own wipe solution. You can buy concentrated wipe solution too if you want, or look up recipes online, (or just use plain water cause it really doesn't make that much of a difference). You'll want to be sure to clean out your wipe warmer regularly. Otherwise you can keep your wipes dry just stacked in a bin, and spray them with a spray bottle as you need them. <br /><br />For each size of cloth diaper, you're going to want maybe around 20 diapers? More for newborns, less for older babies. I don't really know for sure.. We've never owned as many as is recommended and we've gotten along just fine. We don't change the baby the minute he wets himself so that probably cuts down the amount of diapers he goes through in a day. It kind of depends on how often you want to wash them too. The more diapers you have, the less you'll need to wash them, but you don't want them to sit too long (like a week) dirty either or the ammonia will eat away at them or they'll get really stained.<br />Cloth diapers usually do an awesome job at holding in messes. In general they are more reliable than disposables, and you never have to worry about an overly wet diaper "exploding" like disposables can.(I've seen it happen, pretty crazy!) <br /><br /> Babies are probably going to get <u>rashes</u> now and then whether you are using cloth diapers or disposables, but a lot of rash creams are not good for cloth diapers because they can build up on the fabric, ruining the absorbency. You either need to put a strip of fleece or flannel in between your baby and the diaper if you use one, or find a rash cream that is not going to hurt the diapers. Most stores I've been too have not carried the right kinds, so be careful. <A href="http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/diaperrashcreams.htm">(This)</a> is a great page talking about diaper rash, and has a chart to rate which rash creams are compatible with cloth diapers. Good to know!<br /><br />When it comes to <u>choosing between snaps and Velcro </u> -otherwise known as hook and loop closures: <br /> Snaps are better for long term use because they don't wear out, and its harder for your baby to undo on his own when he's older. But, they are more tedious to put on. Velcro is nice because its more adjustable and faster to put on. It just doesn't last forever, and sometimes if you forget to stick the Velcro to the laundry tabs it catches on other diapers or gets strings stuck in it that you have to pick out. The velcro may start to curl or look frayed after heavy use so that can decrease the diaper's resale value.<br /><br /> <br />Cloth diapers usually require an <u>additive free detergent</u> so the absorbancy of the diapers wont be ruined. And only a SMALL amount, like half of what you would normally use on your regular laundry. <br />A few good brands off the top of my head are Country Save, Charlie's Soap, or Allens Naturally or Rockin Green. Wherever you buy your diapers from may also sell the recommended detergents.<br />Here's a <a href="http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html">cloth diaper detergent chart</a> to help you choose. Unfortunately it can be very difficult to find compatible detergents at your local stores, so you may have to resort to ordering them online. (Some people can get away with using any brand of detergent, but do so at your own risk.) <br /><br /> Some people wash their diapers twice to make sure they are clean. First a cold soak to prevent staining, then a hot wash to sanitize. <br />I just do one heavy duty hot wash with an extra rinse. If you have a high efficiency machine, you HAVE to do an extra rinse and be SURE to use only a small amount of detergent.<br /><br />If you get staining, hang them outside in the sun and it will bleach the stains out for you. (some people use laundry bleach on their diapers once in a blue moon if they absolutely have to, but bleach at your own risk.) and NEVER use fabric softener, it will ruin the absorbancy of your diapers and its bad for people anyway.<br />If your diapers ever develop a funky smell (mine haven't) a lot people recommend the product bac-out by <a href="http://biokleenhome.com/bac-out/"> bio-kleen.</a> <br /> <br />Ideally you should hang your diapers outside to dry them, since it gets any stains out, is easier on the diapers so they last longer, and its better for the environment, and saves you money, but I'm way too lazy for that and just throw them in the dryer. Some diapers take longer to dry than others, so you can adjust accordingly, but I dry once on medium and sometimes another on low to get them completely dry.<br /><br /> Now, what about when you leave the house?<br />You can <u>cloth diaper on the go</u>. You just throw a mini spray bottle in your bag and some dry wipes, and spray the wipes as needed. another method is to put wet cloth wipes in a ziplock bag or reuse a disposable wipe plastic container. <br /> Get yourself a medium sized zippering wet-bag <a href="http://www.itzyritzy.com/shop.php?p=8">like these</a> for your dirty diapers and wipes. Don't forget a washable changing pad. I like these <a href="http://www.diapersetc.com/products/bright-changing-pad.html">happy heiny's</a> ones. Throw the wet-bag, the wipes, the clean diapers and the changing pad into your diaper bag and you're good to go. If you're going on a longer trip, you can still cloth diaper, but you'll need access to a laundromat or somewhere to wash your diapers. I haven't tried it myself. Last time we went on a trip we just used disposables.<br /><br />Last thing: <br /><u>the poo.</u> If your baby is exclusively breast fed, no matter how poopy the diaper is, it can just be thrown in the wash as normal and it should come out easily. If your baby is formula fed, you can probably also get away with that, but you may have more trouble with stinking and staining so having some bac-out on hand may be especially helpful for you. <br> Either way, once your baby starts having more solid poo that you don't exactly want to throw into the washing machine, you may find it helpful to buy flushable liners that you line the diaper with to hold the solids, or you may want to get a "diaper sprayer" otherwise already known as a "bidet". They are the same thing. <br />A diaper sprayer is something that easily attaches to the side of your toilet and it works exactly like the dish sprayer on the side of your sink. No getting your hands dirty, just spray the poo into the toilet. (you may also use it to help clean your own bum should you feel so inclined.) <br /><br />Here's more <a href="http://www.cottonbabies.com/clothdiapers.php">cloth diaper tips</a> in case I missed anything.<br /><br />That is about all I can think to say about cloth diapers. I hope I didn't scare anyone too badly. It sounds more complicated than it is. and it's really not that much more work, I'm the laziest person ever and I still manage. Sorry it turned out to be so lengthy. If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will try to help as best I can.Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-35510372696391619212010-01-20T02:40:00.008-06:002014-04-30T12:21:17.690-05:00 D.O.D.P. (dog owner deafness phenomena)I really don't want to seem like Grumpy Neighbor of the Year here. I wouldn't care if you leave garbage and junk out in your yard, if you never mow your lawn, if you have the occasional wild party, or even if you paint your house hot pink and put a big ugly naked statue in your front lawn. But I'm starting to think there is some phenomenon occurring, where somehow the owner of a dog is literally deaf to the sound of their own dog's barking. Because honestly, if my neighbors dog is keeping ME awake at 2:18 in the morning, I do not understand how it is not keeping them awake as well. But it's not just at night, it's during the day too. It doesn't help that right now I'm parenting a seven and half month old, and the chance to sleep for me does not come as often as it did pre-baby. <br> Half the reason we moved off the Air Force Base, was to get away from the excess of barking dogs that populate base housing. Everyone owns a dog, but no one walks them! I think it's especially a problem on base because the houses are so close together, lots of people have to live in duplexes, and no one can have privacy fences. But as I'm finding out after moving, its not JUST a military base housing problem. It can happen in any neighborhood. <br ><br/>Jason and I found from talking to other dog owners, that they never believe it is THEIR dog doing the barking. That somehow, it's always everyone else's. Well I am here to tell you dog owner, that it could very well be your dog barking. You are just experiencing the Dog Owner Deafness Phenomena. Perhaps even I have experienced this at some point. It is pretty common, and no I don't think they've found a cure for it yet. Fear not, it is not fatal. ..However it may be to your dog, if you happen to live next to a psycho with a gun. No, I'm not going to shoot anyone's dog, but it did make the cut on the list of "things not to do" when you have a neighbor with a barking dog. see <a href="http://www.toybreeds.com/dog_barking.htm">How to stop your neighbor's dog from barking</a>. I actually know someone whose dog was poisoned, so it just goes to show barking dogs <b>really do drive people crazy</b> and it's something that should be taken seriously.<br> I really don't want to go and leave an anonymous note, and I reeeally don't want my neighbors to hate me. But I'm seriously getting tired of this. The whole neighborhood shouldn't have to wear earplugs just because someone wants to keep their dog outside at night. and regardless the sound of barking is just really annoying in general when it's non-stop, day after day. If you leave your dog outside when you are not home, it is very possible that it is barking a lot then too. Please know it is NOT EASY to confront someone about their dog, so dont expect (or wait for) someone to confront you about it.<br /><br />Here's a few tips:<br /> -If you own a dog, you can't just confine it to your back yard all the time and expect it to behave itself. ..Just because it is technically outside, does not mean your dog isn't bored out of it's mind! <br>-<b>You need to take it for walks. </b>That's just part of the responsibility of owning a dog. I don't understand why so many people ignore this rule. and while naturally the age and breed of the dog needs to be taken into consideration, generally if your dog is bouncing off the walls, just a lap around the block is not going to cut it. Some dogs need LONG, DAILY walks. TOO MANY people neglect to do this and I think its the main reason their dogs are driving people crazy. <br>-Try to give your dog social contact with other dogs. This can be accomplished during your normal walk, or at dog parks, play dates, puppy school or doggie daycare, etc. I don't care how you do it, but it is another facet of enrichment that is good for your dog. <br />If they still bark non-stop, most likely you aren't walking it long enough, or giving it enough to do. <br />-Dogs need stimulation otherwise they resort to incessant barking (and destroying things). They need to move around in order to satisfy their traveling instincts. see <a href="http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/dogwalk.htm">The Walk</a>. They also need to be played with regularly. Have you ever seen Victoria Stillwell's "It's me or the Dog" show? The MAIN thing she has them do to fix their dog's behavioral problems, is to WALK THEM MORE. Generally, a tired out and socialized dog is a good dog. <br> -Lastly, spay and neuter your dogs. There are too many dogs without homes as it is, and not enough responsible/ able dog owners out there to take them all.<br /><br> If you REALLY can't walk your dog, and you can't keep it inside, and you happen to live close to other people, then either hire a dog walker, move somewhere with more space between neighbors, or don't own a dog in the first place. I know that its very easy to underestimate the huge amount of responsibility that owning a dog is when you bring one home, (believe me I've been there) and that life is busy, and it's not always easy to get your dog to behave, but the bottom line is that you are the one responsible for your dog, it shouldn't have to be everyone else's problem. <br /><br /> /end rantSara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-316961609112010522009-12-15T17:16:00.016-06:002013-02-23T01:43:49.950-06:00Hacked.<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I haven't blogged in a while since I don't know what I could say that other's could want to read.<br /><br />Last night I was on my facebook, like I always am. I've never been a big fan of facebook, but yet everyone else is on it so I figure when in Rome. All of sudden I glance down at the bottom of my screen and see that not only is my chat window open (I never use chat) but that I (or rather, someone appearing to be me) am somehow TALKING to people. People that I am not particularly close with, to top it off.<br /><br />Not only am 'I' talking to people, but I am explaining that I am stranded in London, after getting beat up and mugged. Then 'I' proceeded to beg these facebook friends for money. Quite persistantly I might add. All the while I'm totally confused and trying to type as fast as I can that they should ignore anything I say and that I don't know what is going on.<br /><br />So you can imagine how confused these poor people must be. First surprised that I am even talking to them, then surprised I'm in London, that I was beat up, and then I have the gall to beg them for money? All the while it looks like I'm having a war with my alternate personality over who is telling the truth while they are left to sit and helplessly try to decipher what is going on.<br /><br />For those that are unaware, I have an anxiety disorder. I am easily embarrassed, and feel such emotions very strongly when in fact I am. Things feel like a bigger deal to me than they do to other people. It feels like the whole world is scrutinizing my every move, all day every day. Anyway, I have a tendency to add anyone to my facebook that I even remotely know. Now I'm not sure how many people actually were affected by my account getting hacked, but I can only assume the worst, that I have been made a fool in front of just about everyone that I have ever known.<br /><br />I was able to change my password and I'm pretty sure the destruction has been stopped, however I was unable to fall asleep until about 5:30 am this morning, and on top of running on little sleep, I have a baby to take care of. Point being, I haven't been having a fun day.<br /><br />**ETA: Just when I had things fixed, facebook disables my account without any notice, effectively and abruptly cutting me off from the hundreds of people I had added as friends over the years. So as of now, I am using my old old facebook account. I won't get emails when someone contacts me, so if Im ignoring you, it's not on purpose.**<br /><br />Moral of the story? Make sure your password is reeaally secure.<br />How? Well the advice my friend gave me was for instance, to have both uppercase and lower case letters, begin with zz and end it with 99. Also to clear out your temp files. If anyone else has advice to add, feel free to comment. I know I've got plenty of smart computer savvy friends that this would never happen to.<br /><br />On a happier note, look how cute Aedan is! He made a good model for our Christmas card.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gn_oWm6d5PwKepcGzmEmvZemF0tnQ0YEWDagqsc4UDei29aZiH26Gj1puV-8_d9PsWJZy1-MsUA8PikhDH91km3K64gRi7a2lxhVXpu6bd3bPNObn0H0X3di0NihvBTIB4fhBk-jX7bH/s1600-h/xmas09+007w2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gn_oWm6d5PwKepcGzmEmvZemF0tnQ0YEWDagqsc4UDei29aZiH26Gj1puV-8_d9PsWJZy1-MsUA8PikhDH91km3K64gRi7a2lxhVXpu6bd3bPNObn0H0X3di0NihvBTIB4fhBk-jX7bH/s320/xmas09+007w2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415973520065497874" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. it really bothers me when spell check tells me I spell Aedan wrong. It happens to be the ORIGINAL way to spell it thank you very much.<br /></div></div>Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1304675509724435748.post-34754141458559100872009-11-10T00:04:00.007-06:002009-12-16T16:56:37.348-06:00Keeping up with the JonesesApparently blogspot is where it's at these days.. so I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon. I don't actually have anything interesting to say, and I tend to write in free form (i.e. not trying hard) so grammar freaks beware. It's probably going to take me a while to get everything figured out here so bear with me.<br /><br />Alright, so I've been meaning to share what happened to Jason and I on our trip back from Minnesota. We needed to make a stop in Iowa so I could feed Aedan. We saw an old abandoned gas station that looked like a nice place for me to nurse in private so we pulled in. After I fed him I got out to stretch and take some photos because I find abandoned places interesting.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPilxJ3jsbEOc9x3qgviATP2wC_bzN544STw8IMjK4GjdJE4UTW0KjJCsjh4KjvzeldXqIS1rXBaRPmvGb2tM3PnzYXyFGnkuWLKC667a9DV8kGtL84Gney5ioW0sEdRHXTtW6yJY5p2yj/s1600-h/ths+731.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPilxJ3jsbEOc9x3qgviATP2wC_bzN544STw8IMjK4GjdJE4UTW0KjJCsjh4KjvzeldXqIS1rXBaRPmvGb2tM3PnzYXyFGnkuWLKC667a9DV8kGtL84Gney5ioW0sEdRHXTtW6yJY5p2yj/s320/ths+731.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415971319063206898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ90NjmDSvUgx2GeV0WHWP2BOd7umU8bVskjBbTIwixpSF08tjUcF6s-6aH_Vg3SN5hX91PgStKB_jiTDcsH-ZcKub8JXe9LPagvA-Bkm9hs6Xjx9R00OJzGWVcn2s3QDzcM6RcSIb1vx/s1600-h/ths+753e1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ90NjmDSvUgx2GeV0WHWP2BOd7umU8bVskjBbTIwixpSF08tjUcF6s-6aH_Vg3SN5hX91PgStKB_jiTDcsH-ZcKub8JXe9LPagvA-Bkm9hs6Xjx9R00OJzGWVcn2s3QDzcM6RcSIb1vx/s320/ths+753e1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415971310368943394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDLYSzq20v9GFhi6oTp5XzZdEqYXcLKo_sTarvvd7Q9kQMh9HjngTuAfHH25Jm5xUdjhzu9ZfLs-7VMxjsxJA6KAiq0n3yLi69H6USzFIgxbCN9esv0PK58CJDtRbeUXUDErCiCBCs-fn/s1600-h/ths+763e1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDLYSzq20v9GFhi6oTp5XzZdEqYXcLKo_sTarvvd7Q9kQMh9HjngTuAfHH25Jm5xUdjhzu9ZfLs-7VMxjsxJA6KAiq0n3yLi69H6USzFIgxbCN9esv0PK58CJDtRbeUXUDErCiCBCs-fn/s320/ths+763e1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415971305248851010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpvI3C_zvRjsTUVfjxNxkQFnOvnlzNotqnBkRb1Eg6D3jC0_LE7N6HrLdUJdoUlZNqjAwGR_yqFTHv4gxapbXGyUvEWjq9995KT7g9T-MxvNvAn47Zlpik9eY7Hy2mJ0Prj47ZX7RZEFJ/s1600-h/hs+734e1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpvI3C_zvRjsTUVfjxNxkQFnOvnlzNotqnBkRb1Eg6D3jC0_LE7N6HrLdUJdoUlZNqjAwGR_yqFTHv4gxapbXGyUvEWjq9995KT7g9T-MxvNvAn47Zlpik9eY7Hy2mJ0Prj47ZX7RZEFJ/s320/hs+734e1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415971302867199666" /></a><br /><br /><br />With Aedan over Jason's shoulder we decided to explore around back of the building. As we were walking, we noticed a few things that seemed out of place- objects that looked newer than their surroundings. I thought nothing of it, just figured that local kids probably hung out in the area. When we reached around back it was overgrown with weeds and mostly blocked off. I wondered if there was some way to check out the inside. Jason and I stopped to observe the area. and that's when we heard it.<br /><br />So faint we had to strain to hear it, what sounded like high pitched creepy children's music was coming from inside. Jason and I looked at each other, and started running back towards the car. I remember worrying we were going to be shot. It felt like a nightmare where no matter how hard you try to run you can't move fast enough. When we got in the car I was yelling at Jason to hurry up and get us the heck out of there. All we could say was "That was SO creepy!" "I wonder if they saw us! I wonder who was in there!" and "Note to self: NO MORE 'ABANDONED' BUILDINGS!"<br /><br />Needless to say, we all made it out alive. I know I've probably seen one too many horror movies, but I still can't help but wonder sometimes if someone out there is plotting their revenge for our trespass.Sara Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16037860364470351929noreply@blogger.com3