MarloElaine

If your children love the Disney Channel as much as mine do, chances are you’ve already heard something from the album “Here Come the 123s” by They Might Be Giants (TMBG). I discovered this CD/DVD combo at my local public library. Both of my kids love it so much. I have already renewed it the maximum number of times, so I guess I will have to break down and purchase my own copy.

I actually enjoy listening to all of the songs myself! I have very fond memories of listening to TMBG’s “Flood” album over and over again on a cassette tape, trying to memorize the quirky lyrics. When my four year old son Sam tries to sing along with “Seven Days of the Week (I Never Go to Work),” I just have to laugh. At least he’s finally interested in learning the days of the week! Of course, this means two year old Sophie will learn them too!

The album comes with both a CD and a DVD of all the songs and music videos. There are cute little introductions to the videos by puppets named John and Jon (the members of TMBG). Some of the videos are animated while others are Sesame Street style with hand puppets. Very entertaining and cute. Not sickeningly sweet cute, though.
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Calling all hip moms and babies! I’ve just discovered a new store perfect for all the fashionable and budget conscious moms out there! I’m so excited to share the site and my purchases with everyone!

Hip Moms and Babies is an online store featuring Maternity and Nursing products. Hip Moms and Babies was created by Zeka, who is a mother of three and also a Pediatrician/Neonatologist. She has gathered a collection of really cute clothes and accessories for pregnant women, nursing moms, infants, and toddlers, as well as pumping supplies, organic bath products, baby slings, natural soy candles, etc. [Read more →]

If anyone in your family (or even your pet) has long hair, you’ve probably had trouble with your vacuum cleaner getting weaker or losing suction. It’s even happened to our powerful Dyson, which claims right on the vacuum that it’s “The first vacuum cleaner that doesn’t lose suction.” We have the Dyson DC07 Bagless Vacuum and we love it. Every few months, though, we have to give it a “haircut.”

Since I have had very long hair for most of my life, I have done this several times. This method works with other types of upright vacuums as well, both baggless and bagged. I have found the Dyson to be the easiest to clean.

I never heard of anyone else who has ever given their vacuum a “haircut,” so I was very surprised to see it mentioned in the Dyson instruction manual. The official directions are buried on page 7 of the 14 page instruction manual, under the heading “Where to Look for Blockages.” [Read more →]

Sammy and Sophie love the Spot the Dog series of books by Eric Hill. Their favorite ones are the lift the flap books like “Where’s Spot?” and “Spot Goes to School.”  When our local public library announced that Spot the Dog was coming to visit, they were so excited!  Sammy gave Spot a big hug, but Sophie was happy to just wave from across the room.
After reading Spot books, visiting with Spot, and taking lots of pictures, the wonderful librarians helped the kids make Spot puppets.

All you need to make your own Spot the Dog puppet is a square piece of yellow paper, a popsicle stick, tape, and a black or brown crayon to provide hours of fun for the kids!

First, simply fold the square down the middle diagonally to make a triangle.  Position the triangle in front of you so that the folded side is on top. Fold the two top corners down to make ears.  Draw on a face and color as desired.  Finally, tape on the stick to complete the puppet!  Enjoy!

Every time I make sour cream & chive mashed potatoes, I double the recipe so I can make mashed potato soup with the leftovers. The soup is so good, especially on a chilly winter day! My kids love both the mashed potatoes and the soup! I modified these recipes after first seeing them on the Rachael Ray Show. Here they are:

Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:
5 pounds of Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup regular or reduced fat sour cream
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons chives, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped

Yields: 6 servings
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