School Day and Cloth Diapers!

 Wow!  Maryn LOVED this matching activity.  If I remember correctly, you can find file folder games like this online and make your own matching games for your toddler/preschooler.  I didn't even have to tell Maryn what to do! 

Here we had orange pom-poms, large and small.  I brought out these trays and showed Maryn how we could make "pumpkin muffins."  She loves to make muffins and cupcakes, so she was all about it immediately.  We counted them as she did it (well you know, sort of counted them).  You can do these same kinds of activities with a lot of the Melissa and Doug toys out there.  I love the Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookies Set.  I think it's the best toy ever.  Maryn got it for her first birthday and hasn't stopped playing with it.  It's great pretend play but it's also great for one-to-on correspondence, matching, small motor skills, patterning, counting, sorting, etc.  It's one of those toys kids will love for years. 

We also used a bunch of mini erasers and spider rings to make patterns.  We stuck with ABAB patterns today, and I was very surprised at how quickly she caught on.  Sometimes I think we underestimate two year olds.  So, we did about 6 of these activities my Aunt Cathy made, planned and gave to us.  Guess how long it took?  About 15 minutes!  And I was exhausted.  Hahaha.  Time flies with two-year-old attention spans.  BUuUuuuT it was fun and maybe we both learned something new.

I got out the cloth diapers AND cloth wipes today!  Josiah was so excited he was raising the roof!

Look how big he is!  And how cuuuute!  I love our cloth diapers and I ESPECIALLY love using cloth wipes.  Read our story here all about our cloth diapering.

Maryn's behavior was much better today.  We spent much of the morning outside, ate her favorite for lunch, and really stuck to our schedule.  She didn't take a nap, but played quietly in her room for the full two hours.  We had a few disciplinary actions but nothing serious.  You know what I just hate?  I hate it when she won't do something SO simple.  It'll be the silliest thing, but then she turns it into a  HUGE deal and I have to discipline.  It is NO fun. 

Josiah was just bouncing so peacefully in his bouncy seat and jolted awake.  He looks soooo sad when he cries.  It breaks my heart.  I'm going to go hold him now.  :)

Girls' Day Out and Fun at Mamaw's

I LOVE this picture!!!!!

Aunt Cathy brought over a ton of fun Play-Doh stuff yesterday.
Sara, my mom, Cathy and I all played with her for about an hour
before dinner, making PlayDoh food and encouraging
her to PRETEND to eat it. Very tricky.
In this picture, she's smashing an elephant truck (courtesy Cathy)
onto her nose and trying to do an elephant sound although both her nose
and her mouth are covered.


Everyone at my mom's house is back at work or school, so Maryn and I had the day to ourselves. A day to ourselves with a CAR! Miracle of miracles!







So we stopped by some of my favorite places in the little town of Orrville, the town where I grew up. First, we dropped my mom off at work (Goodwill) and stayed a while browsing the aisles, causing a ruckus and I even bought a few things--a few books and a hat--all for Maryn. Then we went to Audrey's Attic, a cute little country gift shop (antiques, primitives, folk art, pottery) where I always buy my wax tarts. Three cats trot around the store like they own the place and Maryn loved chasing them among the fragile novelties.

After that, we visited Das Dutch Kitchen. Das Dutch is an Amish restaurant where I worked throughout most of my high school years and I crave their chicken so badly when I'm pregnant. So it was a must have today, Monday, the first opportunity I had to take advantage of their lunch buffet. Maryn and I shared the salad bar and buffet, an iced tea and a lemonade, all for less than 13 dollars. I don't think most restaurants expect that free little toddler to eat so much, but we shared four whole pieces of chicken and Maryn just about ate a gallon or so of cottage cheese. I ate about a pint of mashed potatoes smothered in butter, butter, and more butter. John and I have learned that buffets and salad bars are usually VERY good deals for us. Otherwise, we have to buy our starving little Maryn an entire kids' meal for 4 or 5 dollars, give or take. John eats enough for two and me, well now that I'm pregnant I eat enough for two as well. Especially when you're talking fried chicken and anything that is made from a potato.

After we stuffed ourselves silly, we played in the gift shop for a while. Maryn fell asleep in the car within two minutes, and now I'm just relaxing here on the couch with my face burning like crazy.

Why is my face burning? I tried out some of my brother or sister's Clearasil gel and woke up in the middle of the night with a terrible sunburn-like feeling all over my face. It looks awful and feels awful, too. Any suggestions on how to cool it off? Should I just treat it like a sunburn and use some aloe?

Anyway, I also wanted to say that I think Das Dutch, and more restaurants, should invest in a sturdy playground. Even if it's very small and just includes a few benches and a place for kids to run around. Das Dutch is right on the highway and I think more families would stop there if they knew their kids could get out some energy. Plus, the gift shop would make more money because it has so many toys in it. But the crowd it mainly attracts is senior citizens who I hardly ever see walk through the gift shop. I think that if you have kids with you, you're more likely to walk through there (unwillingly yes, but you probably would).

If you're ever in the Canton/Orrville/Wooster area, please take a look at these places. You'll be glad you did. :)

My first pedicure

She made me paint her toe nails just like mine.


I made her sit while they dried.
This part she didn't like so much.

It's a good thing we had Dinosaur Train to help her sit. We watch Dinosaur Train sometimes instead of Imagination Movers. I knew Maryn would like Dinosaur Train because it has two of her favorite things: dinosaurs and trains! I enjoy it, too because it has some great info about dinosaurs. This information is always helpful when you're a teacher--and as a mom, that's what I am.

Today we learned that there was a very small dinosaur called a microraptor. It had four wings and more than likely had feathers. Smaller than a chicken, it is thought that it could actually only glide rather than fly. It immediately made me think of Kendra and her fear of chickens.

Movie Review: Precious

Monique, playing the part of Precious' mother, as she threw a television down the stairwell intending it to fall on her daughter's and newborn grandson's heads.

Mariah Carey (!!!) as the social worker

Monique in her normal hair and makeup!

I don't want to know what goes on in some of my neighbors' homes.

But I hear the shouting, the swearing, the fights.

I don't want to know what happened in some of my students' homes.

But I heard enough from the social workers, from the children themselves, and from their parents.

Precious was all too real to me, but I am still shocked by some of the injustices in our schools and in our government, by our child welfare services.

I once had a student whose grandmother was running a prostitution ring out of their home. And he had been raped by three 12-13 year olds. And he threw up every time we ate lunch or had a party in the classroom. He wasn't used to eating.

I used to pray for him at his desk every morning. I used to call Children's Services every week. I don't know how he's doing today, and I'm not sure I want to find out.

Another thing that Precious made me think about was the naivety of people. Boy, people shock me almost more with their naivety than the seriously twisted, evil minds of the parents in the movie Precious. There are sick people out there, everywhere, in every occupation. Don't be shocked. Be concerned. Keep your eyes open. Pray.

I don't know how Monique performed her last scene in the movie without legitimately crying for hours afterward. The sick mind she portrayed there dug deep and, as one watches it, one should know that there are people like that. There are people who have no regard for even their own children, no love for anyone but themselves.

But there are also people like "Ms. Rain" who can, in just a very realistic and simple way, help those children rise above. It may be as simple as giving the neighbor boy a warm piece of bread. It's the simple acts that they will focus on as brighter lights in their darker lives, telling them they are worth it. Telling them they can be better and they are loved.


That being said, I would like to comment on Monique's performance. She played one of the most disgusting, horrible people. She played it perfectly, disgustingly. And knowing how beautiful and sweet she seems to be, I am really shocked she pulled it off. If you watch it, I can almost promise you that you will want to kill her. That's the kind of hatred she stirs up. Definitely Oscar worthy. Another thing I appreciated about the movie Precious is that it was no Cinderella type of story. Precious wasn't a pretty girl dressed in rags. She was obviously not pretty. I know that sounds cruel, but by the end of the movie it is her true beauty that shines through--not in the Pretty Woman or Princess Diaries sort of way. The real way.

John is not really up on his celebrities. He couldn't believe the social worker was played by Mariah Carey and he didn't even know who Monique was. lol. Their performances were both stellar. Way to go, movie people. So I know most of you have probably seen this one. We're a little behind in our movie watching. But I hope you watch it and know that situations like this can be happening right next door, rich or poor, public school or private.

I always HATE it when people say, "I can't believe anything like that would happen here." Well, not all bad things happen in Harlem.

Good movie. Don't watch it right before you go to bed.

The Breakdown of Baby Snacks

I have been writing this post in my head for the last couple days. I am going to try to find some coupon deals and sales, too. Please comment and let everyone here know what you think of these snacks or suggest others.

We haven't tried a lot of the Gerber snacks because they're a little pricey and Maryn is really happy with graham crackers and Cheerios right now. But if you've tried some of the Gerber Graduates stuff (yogurt melts, those fruit roll up things) please let me know what you thought of them! That way I know if they'll be worth the money or not. Cuz as you will see here, some of these snacks really aren't worth it. I hope this post might save some people some money and from some messes....

Graham Crackers *****5 Mommy Stars***** JJJJJ5 Maryn SmilesJJJJJ

Travel Ease and Messiness Factor: These are super easy to travel with, keep a baby busy for a while, and the crumbs can’t really hurt anyone. They don’t usually make a mushy mess like some baby snacks. They can be easily broken in a diaper bag but not so much that it’ll ruin your day…plus, if any crackers get absolutely crushed, at least they were cheap.

Cost: CHEAP! Loving it! These often go BOGO at Publix (don’t know about Kroger yet), and Kroger has a super cheap version, so stock up on coupons if you can and go at it.

American Cheese or Shredded Cheese ***3 Mommy Stars*** JJJJJ5 Maryn SmilesJJJJJ

Travel Ease and Messiness Factor: Obviously, cheese just isn’t something I would take on a trip. Anywhere. This is the only reason I’m giving it three stars. And it can be a little pricey.

Cost: Eh. When you’re child is a human garbage disposal like mine, it can be costly.

I like cheese because Maryn loves it and it keeps her busy while I finish making the pizza or whatever else I’m making with shredded cheese. Most stores have a store brand that is significantly cheaper than Kraft, even with coupons. Plus it’s a good snack all kids of all ages love (including me).

Cheerios *****5 Mommy Stars***** JJJJJ5 Maryn SmilesJJJJJ

Travel Ease and Messiness Factor: What mess? These are my life saver lately. And I’m pretty sure this is how the nursery workers at church entertain Maryn. High chair + Cheerios=Happy Baby

Cost: Awesome. Especially with coupons and sales. These things are always on sale and a box lasts forever.

These are healthier than a lot of other snacks, and can keep a kid busy for a while. They take longer to chew or dissolve than “Puffs” and are basically the best thing ever invented.

Gerber Graduates Puffs ****4 Mommy Stars**** JJJJJ5 Maryn SmilesJJJJJ

Travel Ease and Messiness: Puffs were a lifesaver for me on car and plane trips before Maryn was able to eat Cheerios, but now that she’s almost one, they just melt so quickly in her mouth that she can’t shove them in her mouth fast enough. They don’t make a big mess in the car. We always kept a container of Puffs in the car, in her diaper bag, in the house…everywhere! But now she and I both love Cheerios more.

Cost: Yikes. Target has an off brand and you may be better off trying some puffed cereal. Check your organic cereal section for a puffed rice type of thing. It’ll still be cheaper than buying Puffs, and is probably healthier. Target also has coupons for Puffs all the time, as well as the Publix Baby Club (make sure you join the Publix baby club if you live anywhere near a Publix. You can join online and it’s free. If you’re adopting/have adopted, too!).

Beech Nut Let’s Grow Yogurt Nibbles ***3 Mommy Stars*** JJJ3 Maryn SmilesJJJ

Travel Ease and Messiness: These are about as easy as Cheerios or Puffs but the packages are small and expensive, so as I feed these things to Maryn I constantly think about how much they cost. Not something I want to worry about on trips.

Cost: Yikes again. But these OFTEN go on sale in stores and we ALWAYS find BOGO coupons. So it does work out to be a pretty sweet deal (we paid about $2.00 for 2 bags last week). This was our first time buying them, and I don’t think we’ll be shelling out even $2 for them because Maryn liked them, but she’d pretty much rather have anything else. They are worth a shot to change things up a bit, I think.

Beech Nut Let’s Grow Cookies Banana Flavor *1 Mommy Star* J1 Maryn SmilesJ

Travel Ease and Messiness: Ugh. These make a huge mess. They turn to mush in babies’ mouths, and the mush gets all over their hands and all over everything else. Clothes, carpet, walls…everything gets mushy. Unless you enjoy throwing your car seat cover in the washer, do not travel with these things.

Cost: Yikes. But these are the same type of deal as the Yogurt Nibbles—always on sale, always have BOGO coupons.

Maryn doesn’t like these at all. Today she threw them on the floor in protest and ate peas instead. I suppose they were made to be sucked on, but Maryn wants to bite, so she bites it and ends up with this huge cookie in her mouth. They are really thick! I do not recommend these.

Hot Kid Baby Mum Mum Rice Rusks****4 Mommy Stars**** JJJJJ5 Maryn SmilesJJJJJ

These are amazing, right up there with Cheerios. The only reason I gave them four stars is because they are very expensive and the packages don’t come with many in them…and the packaging is really strange…and they get crushed easily. Also, they dissolve pretty quickly in babies’ mouths, so they go too quickly for Maryn now at 12 months. Graham crackers are a better option for her right now. One thing I liked is that they’re rice rusks and not too filling. So she could eat four of them and not ruin her lunch when our flight got canceled and I had to stand in line for an hour. But anyway…

Traveling Ease and Messiness: These were a huge lifesaver, and a must for all moms traveling far with a baby over 6 months. Mum Mums take a 6-8 month old a while to eat, and they love them, and they make virtually zero mess. The only problem is that they crush and can be completely destroyed quite easily, so if they’re in a diaper bag or carry on, I suggest storing them in a plastic container.

Cost: Whew! Pricey! Never on sale and never a coupon, that I can find. And they’re usually only in stores like Whole Foods or stores with really good organic sections. So while they’re great for travel, if your baby drops one on the airport floor, YOU WILL pick it up and give it right back to her! Not that I speak from experience or anything…