The Train To Crazy

Relaxing and reading

Christmas brings out so many emotions from people. People usually love it, or dread it. Well, I love it. I've been making a conscious effort to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas and to keep it simple. And, I think we've been doing a pretty good job of that! It helps when we have no parties to attend, no family events, no traveling, nothing! 

There have been some great, thought provoking reads out there lately that I urge you to read, if you haven't already.

Missy at It's Almost Naptime challenges your mental picture of what the birth of Jesus was like. She is so right! If you've had a baby, you'll probably want to read this.

Know someone who grieves during this season? Life as Mom lets you know how to be there for them.

And, because I love to get your blood pumping, Just Mothering Through takes on the animal rights celebrities.

One week to go. Make it a good one.

Bakfiets on the brain

I've wanted one of these for a couple years now. You can put THREE children in there! There are very few options for these in the states. Clever Cycles in Portland sells one.  Here is a bakfiet in action. Nice, right? What a great way to get around without a car! Of course, this is more practical in San Diego... BUT, if someone were to give one to me i wouldn't complain! Seriously! And I'd ride it around with your logo on it every day! Of course, if we are talking practical we really should get one like this one below. Haul the kids AND the groceries!

Now, for looks, you must get a Madsen bike, though I think they only have belts for 2 kiddos I just discovered they sell additional seats so you can put up to 4 kids in there!!

Would you ride one of these? I mean, after you recovered from sticker shock? Also, are these legal everywhere? 

Photos from Clever Cycles, Mark Stosberg, The Dutch Bicycle Co., Madsen Cycles

 

Band practice

The other night we had band practice. The children ran a-muck. It was awesome. EDITED: Clearly, this was Rock Band on the PS3! Just in case you didn't pick that up.

Here is our new album cover

Clearly we're confused. 

Make your own album cover by following these instructions 

1. Go to wikipedia. Hit "random article". This is your band's name. 

2. Go to Random Quotations. The last for or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3. Go to Flickr/Explore/Last 7 Days. The Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your first album cover.

4. Use a photo editor (I use picnik) to put it together.

Handmade giveaway

I saw this Erin's blog and thought it was a great idea. 5 lucky (or brave) people will be getting something made by me, for you. Intriguing? You think I'm going to sew something, right? You just never know! I might. I might not! I will not make chicken and send it to you. I promise. Or any other meat product. Or really any meal like creation.

The first five people to leave a comment on this post will get something handmade from me. But in return, you have to do the same thing on your blog and make something for five other people. The details are as follows, and if you want to play, copy the following onto your blog and leave me a post:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. What you get is what you get. 
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. 
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you.

Are you in? You know you want to...

Be where you are

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately where people talk about being very busy, not great at everything they do because there is a lot they are doing. Questioning whether they are over committed, spread too thin, not doing enough, etc. One of my favorite pieces of advice I ever heard was

"Be where you are"

If you are at work, be there. Don't let your mind wander to what you could/should be doing at home. If you are with your kids, be with your kids. Play with them, interact with them. Get off your blackberry or your computer or cell phone and be with them. On a date? Be there. Just be where you are.

Of course, the flip side of that is wherever you go, there you are. That may be a problem for some of us...

A week of giveaways!

There are lots of giveaways in the blog world this week. 

Little Birdie Secrets has some every day. All you have to do is leave a comment on a post to be entered into the drawing.

The KoDi shop is giving something away later today. Head over to Sarah Ellen's blog to win something cute.

Megan at Sorta Crunchy is giving away a gift certificate. Check it out.

Make and Takes is giving away a sweet treat.

Sew Mama Sew is giving away fabric! (but you have to make a fabric flower...)

Skip To My Lou is giving away an expensive charm necklace!

The Long Thread is giving away the book Sewing Green.

What other giveaways have you entered this week? Have fun! I hope you win

 something.

Oh, and I'm sorry that the blog changes daily. I'm still experimenting. I've been told by several people that having the content in the center column looks best. What do you think? 

You Capture: Letters. My Soapbox

This week's challenge for You Capture was to photograph letters. I thought of all sorts of cool ways to find letters in nature. You know, a tree that looks like an "f" and so on and so forth. I found this and decided to go a different way. I am a huge advocate of teaching your kids ASL (American Sign Language). I know baby signs are popular but I think the value of babies, toddlers, preschoolers learning real signs is huge. I've written about this before but when I see my girls actually able to have small conversations with deaf people (and witness the excitement of that person's face) it makes sense. Kids are sponges, they have the capacity to learn many languages. Why not sign? Knowing 20 signs is great and helps combat the whiny toddler phase when they are frustrated you don't understand them but it isn't necessary to stop there. My oldest daughter could sign hundreds. HUNDREDS of signs by the time she was 18 months. 

So here it is.

To see more photos about letters go to I Should Be Folding Laundry. 

UPDATE: Well, this is apparently NOT acceptable material for You Capture because I was booted off! Oh well.  Enjoy the photo anyway, it was taken at our local park. The playground is completely handicap accessible, which is awesome.

Texture

This week's challenge for You Capture is to photograph texture. This was the most texture I could find.

Yes, two days without sweeping...

This is my favorite chair. I love it.

And there is also this boring shot...

And this beautiful one.

Now go check out everyone else's texture.

My favorite blogs of late

I haven't had any links lately, not that I haven't been reading anything. I have a few new blogs I've been reading that I think are totally worth your time to check out.

It's Almost Naptime!!!! is a fabulously funny and insightful blog by a mom of FOUR little ones. Check out this post which will make you laugh so hard you'll cry.

Mama Sass is hilarious. Fortunately for us (and unfortunately for her) she is currently unemployed and has a lot more time to write!

What have you been reading?

Perspective

These are my favorite "perspective" pictures. This is Naomi hanging upside down on her monkey bars. 

This one I couldn't resist. This was taken at noon. We have a Moon Hunter in our house. We must take pictures of the moon during the day.

Check out more "perspective" pictures in this week's You Capture challenge at I Should Be Folding Laundry.

Holidays, shmolidays

Some people love all holidays. Some people don't like any of them. How do you feel about holidays? Here is where I stand.

New Year's Day: Eh. Take it or leave it.

MLK Jr. Day: Great holiday, can't believe it took 17 years for all 50 states to begin celebrating it after it was written into law.

Valentines' Day: Never cared about it. Still don't.

Presidents' Day: Drives me nuts because my birthday is actually on Washington's birthday and it NEVER falls on that day!  

St. Patrick's Day: Very green. I don't care too much for it.

Easter: mmm, chocolate and Jesus.

Mothers' Day: Love it!

Memorial Day: I've never really had a connection to the day.

Fathers' Day: Another great one!

Independence Day: I loved it as a kid and am hoping to have some good ones to come.

Labor Day: Has always meant "back to school" for me.  That's it.

Columbus Day: Against it.

Veterans' Day: Thanks Veterans!

Halloween: I like candy folks.

Thanksgiving: Turkey, family, fun.

Christmas Day: My favorite holiday, by far. I love, love, love it.

New Year's Eve: I wish I loved it but it just doesn't excite me.

How about you? Which holidays do you love or hate?

Baby Wearing

International Babywearing week started Wednesday. Is it usual for a "week" to start on a Wednesday? Adventures in Babywearing is having a contest to give away a new baby wrap or sling. This got me thinking about the babywearing apparati that I have.

They all serve their special purpose and come in handy at different times. I have a Moby Wrap, a Kangaroo Adjustable Pouch, a Baby Bjorn, and the Ergo Baby Carrier. Here are my personal pros and cons for each.

Moby Wrap
Pros: Very comfortable. Baby's weight does not hurt my back or shoulders. The baby likes the wrap.
Cons: It is a LOT of fabric and can be tricky to figure out at first. It is also not something you can quickly just throw on, though it doesn't take too much time.

Kangaroo Pouch
Pros: Easy to get on, easy to use. Comfortable for baby.
Cons: I had to see a chiropractor for a month after using this a lot when Daphne was a newborn. Too much pressure is put on one shoulder.

Baby Bjorn:
Pros: Baby's weight is evenly distributed. Men don't mind using it.
Cons: Can only be used for baby's first year. Baby hangs by the crotch which isn't good for baby for long periods. Can only be used for front carry.

Ergo Baby Carrier:
Pros: Easy to put on. Very comfortably. Comfortable for baby. Can be used with older children. Can be worn on front or back.
Cons: Difficult to first get baby on your back though it gets easier with practice.

I definitely prefer the Ergo out of all of these because of its usability over the lifespan of the baby/toddler. Some people use the wrap or pouch with older kids but I haven't. The Bjorn is my least favorite.

I've never tried a Mei Tai or o sling but I'd like to. What is your favorite baby carrier?

8 Things

1. Naomi put Aidie was in time out yesterday.  I hope she doesn't try that with her real friends.
2. I finally have a baby that likes to sleep in bed with me.  This isn't my first choice but she actually falls asleep on her own if she is laying in my bed so YIPEE!  
3. The Starburst in our Halloween candy bowl ran out so I bought more today. 
4. I broke down and bought a pair of pants in my size.  I'm not planning to be this size for long so I went to Goodwill.  They aren't pretty, stylish or anything close but I'm hoping they don't fit in a couple weeks. 
5. We've had so many great meals made for us by family and friends since Maggie was born.  Thank you to all of you! I promise to get your dishes back to you this year at some point.  
6. Emily I still have your dish you left here during the Summer.  I promise to return it as well! 
7. A 3.5 year old and a 2 year old take a LONG time to fall asleep when sharing a bed. 
8. Three little girls in the bathtub together is a super cute sight!