Don't Do This To Your Kids

I started getting Family Fun Magazine a few months ago when it just randomly started coming in the mail.  I like flipping through it, because every once in awhile I come across a really cute idea, interesting article, or fun recipe.  For the most part, though, I find the magazine can be a little lame.  This is unfortunate because it's a Disney magazine and I love all things Disney but... it is what it is.  The Halloween issue, unfortunately, was no different.

The article I am referring to is titled, "Quick and Clever Costumes", but a more appropriate title would've been "Really-Quick-and-Lame-Costumes-That-Are-Going-To-Make-The-Other-Kids-Make-Fun-Of-Your-Kid".  The article suggests some clever costumes that are super cool and super easy to make at home (as long as you have crayons, a glue stick, and no imagination). 

My first question is: When would a parent have to "quickly" come up with their child's Halloween costume?  As far as important holidays are concerned, Halloween ranks 3rd on any child's list, after Christmas and their birthday.  In fact, most kids are already talking about what they are going to be for Halloween at Easter.  Do some parents forget what day Halloween falls on?  It's October 31 people... of every year.  You have plenty of time to come up with a costume.  Walmart has been advertising Halloween since July.  Michaels and Hobby Lobby started back in April.  And really, how much "quicker" is it for someone to pull out their art supplies and come up with a low-budget costume than to head over to the nearest Walmart and pick one up there?  There is a Walmart every 2 miles... You want to be quick?  Run to Walmart you procrastinators!

My second question is: Is money the issue?  If so, then I can (kind of) be a little more sypathetic.  I say "kind of" because, again, you've had a whole year to plan for this.  But I get that everyone's circumstances are different so I'm not trying to be insensitive in this terrible economy.  That being said, it actually pays to procrastinate at Halloween.  If you go to your local Old Navy, Toys R Us, Target, or Walmart today (as in, the day before Halloween) costumes are already 75% off.  You can even buy a Disney costume for less than $10 right now.  Disney should have put in a plug for a Disney costume instead of suggesting such ridiculous costumes.  Old Navy has some adorable costumes that are regularly priced $24 on sale for $6 right now.  Please give up your Starbucks for one day and buy your kid a real costume!

Thirdly, if $6 is just not in the budget, then borrow a costume from a friend.  If that is not an option, or you simply prefer to make it yourself, then go hard or go home.  In other words, start working on that Halloween costume at the beginning of the month and not on Halloween morning.  Your kids will thank you later.  Put some diligent effort into the costume and make it look like some hard work and time was put into it.  Please, for the love of ghouls, do not make any of the costumes I am about to show you.  It is just bad parenting on all kinds of levels.

Here are a few of the worse...

In case you can't read that post-it note, it says, "EyePad".  Really?  How long did this take to make?  Disney says, "This costume is quick, easy, and sure to get attention from tech-loving ghouls."  It is definitely bound to get attention.  Not sure it's the kind of attention any child wants, though.   

"I'm All Ears" costume.  Instructions to parents: Duct tape some home-made ears made out of foam to your child's clothes.  This probably took longer to make than the first costume, but this one may actually be worse.  Disney's description?  "Your child will hear all the Halloween action in this quick, creative costume."  What your child is going to hear is a bunch of laughter.. at his or her expense.

I get that facebook is all the rage... but give me a break.  This is a lazy effort.  This girl's parent should have just saved a couple of more minutes and made their kid's costume a-la-Jim-Halpert...

This is precisely what I was talking about when I said, "Go hard or go home." You want to make your kid's facebook costume? Then do it right...

Now that's a facebook costume!  Seriously moms and dads, please don't be lazy.  Halloween is a big deal for little kids.  It's once a year.  Put a little effort into it.  You don't have to be rich to be creative.  And big props to all the mommies and daddies who worked hard to put their kiddos' Halloween costumes together... purchased or home-made! 

Okay that is all.  Bye bye!  And Happy Halloween!

Halloween Cupcakes ANYONE Can Make

I dabble a little in cake decorating, but I just didn't have the time to get creative with frosting tips and homemade butter cream icing this weekend.  I have a walk-in closet to clean and that is going to take a better part of this weekend because I plan to take a break every 10 minutes.  It should take me about 20 hours at that rate.  Needless to say, I needed a super duper easy cupcake idea.  Here are a few adorable ones I came across that require no cake decorating skills and no extravagant cake decorating supplies.  In fact, your kiddos can help you decorate these cute cakes!

Seriously... how fun are these spider cupcakes?  And how easy?  Chocolate frosting, chocolate sprinkles, red hot eyes, and black licorice legs.  Your kids will have a field day making (and eating) these creepy crawly cupcakes.  Thanks Bakerella! 

Spooky Ghost cupcakes made with white frosting.  Without the eyes... yummy ice cream cone.  With the eyes... scary ghost!

Here's a different take on the spider cupcake, and this version is even easier.  Just plop a toy spider ring on your cupcake and voila!  This is a fun cupcake to make together with your kids... even your little ones!

Okay so this is totally unrelated, but how cool are these?  Test tubes filled with your favorite shot... for the adults of course (hey we need treats too!)  I almost threw a Halloween party just so I could bust out some of these bad boys filled with some cool red liquor!  But I have a closet to clean.  Speaking of which...



Adios! Happy baking :)

Proactive Parents Moment: If I'm Lost Stickers

My hubby and I took our little boy to the Houston Children's Festival awhile back and they gave us an "If I'm Lost" sticker to place on our son's back as we were walking in.  It was just a big bright sticker that said, "If I'm Lost call __-___-___" and there was a space for you to enter your telephone number. 

Even though we never let our baby out of our site, I think this is an ingenious little tool because you can never be too safe.  Big crowds can become very chaotic and kids are always off and running to the next fun spot.  I can't tell you how many times I've seen lost kids at the zoo, children's museum, or similar place.  

I researched these stickers on the internet and they are more popular than I thought. I personally had never seen them before.  The stickers are to be worn on the center of the back to prevent children from removing them.  Only phone numbers are written on the stickers.  These are great for use at fairs, carnivals, parades, theme parks, and any busy public event.  

If you are interested in ordering some, you can find them by googling "If Lost Stickers" or "If I'm Lost Stickers".  I found them to be a little pricey for what you are getting (it's a sticker!), so I will probably just make a few on our home computer.  They also have bracelets that serve the same function. 

Here's a cute sample sticker I found on Zazzle, although to be honest with you, I would advise against putting a parent (or child's) name on these.  You don't want some stranger tricking your child into thinking he/she personally knows you.  (i.e Hi little girl!  Your mommy Kimberly is a good friend of mine and she is waiting for you at my car...)  Anyway, just a cute (and safe) idea I wanted to share with you all!

Prom Dates and Plunging Necklines

Hubby and I went to dinner this past weekend and we saw several young teenage couples dressed up for their high school's homecoming.  Um... have you seen some of the dresses these girls are wearing nowadays?  I actually thought about pulling out my camera phone and snapping a couple of undercover shots, but I was afraid I would get into trouble for child porn if I posted those pics on my blog.  I couldn't believe some of the plunging necklines on some of those girls' dresses.  Way too much cleavage for a 16 year old girl.  I'm not trying to sound like some old lady, but some of these dresses crossed over into bonified hoochie-territory.  I mean, if I can see your belly button, there's a problem.  (By the way, in case you're wondering, I've never actually been to bonified hoochie-territory but I went to college with a couple of girls who did.  These women will eventually reproduce [if they haven't already], and their daughters will be my son's classmates... I have to worry about this stuff.) 

Anyway, back to my story.  So the couples were taking all kinds of fun pictures and just having a great time, and it got me to thinking...  I decided that when our son (who is currently 18 months old) goes to his homecoming or prom, he will need to come back to our house with his date after he has picked her up.  After all, I need to take pictures too.  I don't think the girl's mom should have all the fun and I don't want to miss out.  We have some pretty amazing palm trees in our yard that would make a beautiful background for a homecoming picture.  And I really like my fireplace.  I'm just going to want a few pictures... in different poses... around our yard... and maybe even a few inside our house... by our fancy fireplace.  I just want to see how cute my son and his date look... and I want to see the neckline on his date's dress.  I'm just sayin'... 

Monday's Menu: Witches Hat Cookies

Okay, so obviously this isn't a real recipe with real ingredients.  And no, this isn't my idea of baking (for any of you who are shaking your head as you thumb through Martha Stewart's newest cookbook.)  But it's a cute Halloween snack idea if you're in a pinch, because they're so cute and super easy.  Plus, most of you already have all three ingredients sitting in your cupboard.   

Don't get me wrong, I personally love baking, so I don't usually mind going all out for a fun and delicious dessert.  But I know there are those times that we have to pull some fab dessert out of our butts and we simply do not have the time, energy, money, or desire to do so... especially depending on what kind of day you've had.  So, if you're in a situation like this, I give you complete permission to cheat and feel guiltless about it.  And I'm providing you the instructions on how to do so! 

Ingredients

32 Hershey's Kisses

1 package (11.5 oz) Keebler Fudge Striped Cookies

1 tube of decorator icing

Instructions 

1) Attach 1 Hershey Kiss to the chocolate bottom of each cookie using decorator icing

2) Pipe decorator icing around the base of each each Kiss.

3) Eat, enjoy, and soak in all "Super Mom" praises you are bound to get...

For more cute Halloween snack ideas, check out the Betty Crocker website.  Betty rocks!

Terrible Pregnancy Photos, Part I

Like many women, I had professional pregnancy photos taken during my third trimester.  Our photographer had asked us to come to our photo session with some ideas, and to use the internet for some inspiration.  He also wanted to know what our comfort level would be during the shoot.  

I had some pretty specific ideas about the kinds of pictures I wanted of myself.  I was blessed to have a really pretty baby bump, so I was definitely open to taking bare-belly shots by myself.  That being said, I also knew I didn't want to do any all-nude, boudoir-style shots... (atleast not at 8 months pregnant!) 

However, I wasn't sure what kinds of pictures I wanted to take with my hubby.  I wanted some great pictures of us showing off our baby bump, so that we could capture this important stage in our lives.  At the same time, I didn't want anything too cheesy or corny.  I also didn't want anything too posed or contrived.  I wanted fun, artsy, creative, and unique.  I figured the internet would be a good place for creative posing ideas for pregnant couples.

To say that I was amazed at the amount of creativity I found on the internet, is an understatement.  Flabbergasted is a little closer to the sentiments I felt... along with confused, disgusted, shocked, and (let's be honest), completely entertained.  There really isn't much more I can say about some of the photographs I found, other than to simply show you some of them...  

There were so many pictures that I am going to have to break this posting up into parts (so stay tuned!)  Ladies and gentlement, let me introduce you to the Part I of the Pregnant People of Walmart (along with a few sarcastic captions):

Uh... The "circle of life" for whom?  The Thundercats?

Say hello to my little friend...

WTH??  My hubby would rather paint a baby cheetah on my stomach and paint himself to look like a thundercat...

"My first name ain't baby, it's Janet, Miss Jackson if you're nasty..."

Walking down the street smokin' Endo, sippin' on gin and juice...

King Triton isn't going to be happy about this Ariel...

Monday's Menu: Pudding Paint

Here's a different take on Monday's Menu.  This may not be something you can throw together for dinner, but it's definitely edible... plus it's alot of fun!

Pudding Paint (Craft recipe)

Pudding paint is an edible paint your kiddos can use to create fun works or art... and they can eat it too! The edible paint can be used with a paint brush or as a finger paint.

Ingredients:

1 package of vanilla instant pudding (3.4 oz)

2 cups of ice cold water

Food coloring

Step 1: Empty package of instant powdered pudding into a bowl.

Step 2: Add water to the powdered pudding and stir with a whisk for a couple of minutes.

Step 3: Refrigerate pudding for 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Remove pudding from refrigerator and divide into miniature bowls, mini-muffin tins, or ice cube tray.

Step 5: Add 5-7 drops of food coloring to each portion of pudding and mix. 

Step 6:  Creat a masterpiece!  Kiddos can paint on paper or even outside on the sidewalk.  (Make sure to hose of sidewalk after play to prevent ants!) 

Step 7: Store any unused pudding paint in the refrigerator or.... eat it!

Just In Case You Were Wondering...

I didn't pee until about 1pm today.  And I didn't brush my teeth until right before my hubby walked through the door from work.  Yep... that was about 6pm.  Don't judge!

Tuesdays Tip: Halloween Costume Contests

Disney Family Fun
http://family.go.com/2011-family-halloween-costume-contest/

Submit a picture of your cute kiddo or your family in costume.  Describe how you created your costumes for a chance to win some great prizes. 

Disney Junior
http://photo.disney.go.com/disneyjunior/be-part-of-the-magic/halloween/2011/

Upload a photo of your child in costume, for a chance to be featured as "Costume of the Day" on DisneyJunior.com and Disney.com for Halloween Dress-up Fridays.  Then tune-in to Disney Junior every Friday in October to see if your child is featured!
Deskchatter (on Facebook)

"Like" deskchatter on Facebook, then enter their Halloween photo contest for a chance to win $250. Simply upload a photo and they will randomly pick one winner.

Petco - Pet Halloween Costume (on Facebook)

"Like" Petco on Facebook, then submit a photo of your canine child in their best "Howl-o-ween" costume for a chance at great prizes. Grand prize winner (pet with most votes) will receive a $500 Petco gift card, among other prizes.  Runner-up winners from each animal category (dog, cat, other) will receive a $250 gift card (based on Petco judges votes).  Weekly winners will receive $50 Petco gift card through October 30. 

The Push Present

Ladies... In case you are totally in the dark about push presents, let me enlighten you. (Trust me, your husbands will thank me later.) According to Wikipedia, a push present "is the present a new father gives a new mother when she gives birth to their child."  Technically, it's the gift your hubby (or baby daddy) gives you for pushing his baby out.  


Current etiquette dictates the present may be given before or after the birth.  My personal advice is to cash in on this gift after your hubby has seen how hard you rocked labor and delivery.  You know, after he has thanked his lucky stars that he isn't a woman.  This is your time to take advantage ladies.  Do your thing!


Here are just a few push present ideas in case you need prompting:


1) Mommy jewelry

2) Baby's birthstone jewelry (especially if it's a diamond... which my baby's birthstone is... holla!)


3) Designer diaper bag 

4) Camera / video camera


5) Spa Day


6) Rocker/glider




Let me conclude this very important service announcement with a couple of rules regarding the push present:

1) The babymoon should not take the place of the push present.  (More on a babymoon in a later posting.)


2) In the event that some of you Mommies do not get to push (because a c-section is inevitable), you are still completely entitled to some variation of the push present... which I like to refer to as the "c-gift". 


Happy shopping!!  

The 411: Carseat Safety

Just a little reminder moms and dads:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing starting from the moment they leave the hospital. All infants and toddlers should ride in a Rear-Facing Car Safety Seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer.

The 3 types of rear-facing car seats are: 1) infant-only seats; 2) covertible seats; and 3) 3-in-1 seats. When children reach the highest weight or length allowed by the manufacturer of their infant-only seat, they should still continue to ride rear-facing in a covertiable or 3-in-1 seat.

Please don't base your decision on which car seat to buy based on the price. The most expensive is not necessarily the best option. Please base your decision on the consumer reports crash safety ratings. I can't tell you how many people I know have gone on and on about how their $300 carseat is the best on the market. When we purchased our convertible car seat, the consumer reports listed the Evenflo Triumph as the #1 safest car seat.  At about $115, it even beat out the widely popular and much more expensive Britax (although not by many points).  Anyway, my point is to keep current on the consumer reports ratings because they do change as products are tested, and please don't base your decision on cost or looks.  There are a number of other factors to consider such as ease of use (see next paragraph) and test ratings.  

Ease of use and knowledge of use are very important.  Did you know that 4 out of 5 car seats are installed and/or used incorrectly? A seat appropriate for your child’s size may not properly protect your child in a crash unless it is used correctly. Here's a helpful safety checklist on the AAP website (http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/carseatsafety.cfm). Also, make an appointment for a free car seat safety check. Child safety seat checkups and inspection stations provide parents with the opportunity to have their child's safety seat checked by a nationally certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician or instructor to determine if it is safe and being used correctly. You will also learn how snug your child should be once strapped in. This is a public service so it is free of charge!

In Houston car seat safety checks are sponsored by Texas Children's Childhood Injury Prevention Center and Safe Kids Greater Houston. There are several locations throughout Houston. Inspectors take about 15 minutes to inspect your car seat installation and/or to teach you how to properly install your car seat. They also demonstrate how tightly your child should be strapped in.

If you live elsewhere, check with the Department of State Health Services (http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/saferiders/checkups.shtm) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm).  Let's keep our babies safe!

More Cool Stuff

Check out this cute onesie I came across. It says, "My Mommy doesn't want your advice." Isn't that awesome? I wish I had had one for my son to wear. I will have to order one so that I will have it for my next kiddo. But first I have to find one that says, "My Mommy doesn't give a crap how you raised your kids."

Cool Stuff That's Good For Them

Have you seen this yet? Super cute Arm & Hammer Kids Spinbrush "My Way" is a battery powered toothbrush that comes with 141 stickers so your kids can decorate it their way. Available for boys (blue) or girls (pink), and costing about $7, kids can adorn with cute stickers and/or with their monogram. This is a win-win gift for kids and parents!  (Downside: It is my understanding that you can't buy replacement heads for this toothbrush.)