i got a present!

So what if I had to buy it for myself...lol

Our home computer recently went to technology heaven, or hell I'm not really sure. So that means that I got an early Christmas present and birthday and probably Christmas again! :D

Here she is:

And this beaut has more than her good looks to brag about, but I won't bore you with the details. The only perk my little man Caden cares about is the webcam. He LOVES it. I probably already have 30 videos of him dancing and jumping around watching himself on the monitor.

Here is his first video the day after we got the laptop:



Isn't he precious? If you listen closely you can hear baby Cameron's hiccups in the background!

Making learning fun!

Caden loves to play, but lately we have been trying to incorporate as much learning into his playtime as we can so that we can make it fun for him. Picking toys that are both educational and fun can be difficult sometimes BUT there is a website called Ebeanstalk that makes it so easy for you! Ebeanstalk is dedicated to selecting good, safe toddler toys and kids toys. How are they so good at this you ask? Because they ask moms like me and you to help pick the toys. The toy they sent is called Shapes and Sound Puzzle, one of their many  toys for a 2 year old.

I couldn't wait to hand it over to Caden and let him play. He normally isn't all that interested in puzzles, but this one-he loves! What kid doesn't love it when their toys talk to them? Mine certainly does.

This puzzle in particular has different shapes on it in various colors and it is light censored so that when the child picks the puzzle piece up it says the name of the shape.

I am not exxagerating when I tell you that my two year old played with this puzzle for maybe 30 minutes the night we got it and the next morning when we got it out again he was able to pick the Oval puzzle piece out of the pile AND SAY Oval AND put it in the correct slot in the puzzle. I was amazed.

He is learning so quickly right now and he is loving his new puzzle. He can point and say several of the shape names and colors and is quickly becoming a pro at putting the pieces back in. I would definitely recommend this puzzle to anyone with a toddler. I am going to try and catch him on the video camera so you all can see just how well he is doing with it.

Want to know something else? Their prices are so good! Their website is so easy to use and makes gift giving easy. You can select age and gender and Ebeanstalk will suggest many different toys for you to choose from.


Want to know more? Go HERE.

Plain Links:

toddler toys
kids toys
toys for a 2 year old

Easy Peasy

These beauties turned out pretty great if I do say so myself : )

(model: Caden Jordan)

The pictures truly do not do them justice. I made these two wreaths and gave them as early Xmas gifts to my Aunt and Grandma whom we just had thanksgiving with and I already have 3 other requests for them! I may not ever get one of my own! Can you believe I only have 3 or 4 glue gun burns after making these babies?

Want to know how to make one yourself? If you are not already following Living With Lindsay go on over and check her out. Her blog is amazing and that woman is full of great ideas and talent! Read her post with full directions on making your own book wreath here.

If it is your first time visiting Lindsay tell her who sent ya by!

PS- I finally got around to creating a new button and while I can make no promises on whether or not it won't change again-there it is! See that little ole thing on the top right over there?

Take it. I promise I won't be mad.

Happy Holiday's!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009

Who doesn't love a good survey?

Summer over at Le Musings of Moi did a post about a quiz on the home goods website and so of course I just had to go take it myself and you should to! Go here to check it out!

Here are my results and I must say they are pretty accurate!

Jessica, you are an Earthy Casual

You're interested in creating a welcoming home where people feel comfortable and happiness flourishes. You appreciate the warmth and individuality of natural materials and handcrafted things and are inspired by colors and forms from nature. You love mixing up different textures and are sensitive to the tactile qualities of objects. Your style is grounded and solid, not flighty or frilly. And you are never taken in by the trend of the moment.
You value order. You feel happiest if your home is well organized. You understand that when your house is in order, your mind feels clearer. Rather than a lot of meaningless objects or overly-designed items, you are happier with a few well-placed things. Your home is your respite from a busy life. Try to avoid letting things into your home that you don't really love.

Putting Your Style to Work!

With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZE The front hall sets the mood for your entire home. Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. If you have children, try to give each a basket in the closet for hats and gloves. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.
2. Your Happy Place Make this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.
3. Be Party-Ready All the Time! Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.

Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.

 Who doesn't love being told more about themselves? I know I do :D 

a weight lifted

We finally had our appointment at the hospital this morning for Cameron. We didn't have to wait too terribly long, but that hour seemed to last for days. We sat in the waiting room listening to crying babies and watching children struggle as they tried to walk etc and my heart just broke for them and their families and it sank at the same time wondering if that was to be our future.

BUT we got great news!

The neurosurgeon said that Cameron's head Xray's look 'pristine' and 'perfect'. He said that his head is a little on the small side, but that some children just always have smaller heads and some larger. We just have to continue monitoring it's growth and if it doesn't change we will then of course have to go back, but as of right now it all looks good.

Whew....What a relief! I instantly felt lighter sitting in that smelly little room with the uncomfortable chair and none of that mattered at all!

He said we need to go see a pediatric ophthalmologist for Cameron's eyes and will probably have to keep following up in hopes that he grows out of it or it could mean glasses or surgery. His eyes aren't crossing near as badly as they have been so we are hoping for the best.

So all in all we got a great report. I am so happy and feel so much better. I am still worried just because he didn't rule anything out and we could still see problems from this down the line, but I am just going to focus on the positive and continue to pray over my little guy.

Thank you all so much for your sweet thoughts and special prayers sent out to Cameron and our family. We appreciate each and every one!