slow down

Maybe it's just life in general or maybe it's 3 kids, I'm not really sure .... but I do know that I don't get a lot of quiet one-on-one time with my kids. I'm with them all the time but we are always running around, moving to the next thing or doing things like homework, reading, or eating lunch. You too?

Today two of my three kids were sleeping in the car. I had a half hour to kill and had just driven up to my house. The decision was: do I keep them in the car and just hang out with Brody or do I take them all out and get some stuff done inside? It was an easy choice....no one should ever wake TWO sleeping kids. I rarely wake one. So we stayed in the car.

Brody came and sat up front with me and wanted to ask me questions. He started all of this on his own. He asked me about my favorite things to do when I was his age, inside and out of the classroom. He then asked if we could talk about feelings and asked me how I would feel if a friend told me they would play with me tomorrow but then never did. So we talked about feelings for awhile. Then we played I Spy, we played word games and we talked about how some kids made fun of him at school today. Basically we just talked and played for almost 45 minutes. Can I tell you how amazing it was? Normally, I would let him play by himself and I would check my cell phone.

My baby is growing up....he needs special attention to learn how to navigate this world and the playground he is on. I need to make sure to give him all the attention he needs and more. He can't make that happen by himself with two other crying kids and errands. I'm not sure how I will make this happen more often, but I will.

It was one of the sweetest moments of my motherhood.... let's all duplicate those. If we wouldn't have had alone time....I would never have never heard him ask me if we can talk about feelings. He's definitely my kid.

finally

After 3 babies, I finally found a great baby/toddler sock. These Hanes Boys Infant/Toddler Crew Socks rock. They fit, they stay up, they are non skid, and they are comfy. I got them at Target in the baby aisles where they have the baby shoes/tights/etc. They start at 6-12 months and go all the way up to a 4T/5T. It really is the little things that make me happy!

did you get it too?

I'm loving the Mini Boden catalog that just came....not only because I found a lot of cute things in it that I like (I'm usually on the fence with their stuff) but because I love the discount they are giving. If you have their catalog and order by November 12th, you buy any two items and you get the third for $1. Plus you get free shipping AND they are also offering $5 off on top of that. The source code is on the catalog so don't throw yours out!

Here are my fav things they have right now! Note: I am picking these out based on my age kids.

sweet book

I just finished reading this sweet book Baby Baby Baby by Marilyn Janovitz to Piper. In the book the little baby does various activities with each member of the family, including Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Kitty, and Puppy. Things like clapping, crawling and hugging. It's cute if you make it interactive when the story says things like "clap, clap, clap." Piper loved it because she pointed out the things our baby does like crawling. Personally I like simple, clean and cute books that are fun to read and this was all of that.

You can see it here!

i LOVE this

I am REALLY in love with this. Save the Children recently launched Caps for Good. Here's what they have to say, "Many American moms are looking to help moms less fortunate in developing countries without writing a check - this is the perfect solution. The basic idea is to knit a simple baby cap with your child (or solo), and save a newborn life. Knitting a baby cap is a simple and effective tool that can keep babies warm and ultimately contribute to reducing newborn deaths (which is 4 million per year) in the developing world. Once the caps are completed, readers can send the cap to Save the Children where we will then send them to our newborn health programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Readers will be able to view the progress of the caps online." Rad right? Just look at the picture, something so small can make such a big difference. And doesn't every baby deserve the right to be snuggly?

Need a pattern? You can view easy patterns at www.GoodGoes.org/caps. Or use your own pattern. Even if you don't know how to knit, you can buy a cap on etsy.com and send it in.

Go here for more info! And you know what, if you do it, I will send you a little something from me. I don't know what yet, but something cute. Just email at elhajs@aol.com me when your cap is in the mail!

xo,

take care of your skin!

I received the book, Beautiful Skin Revealed, in the mail last week and decided to start flipping through it last night. I have to admit, at first I was overwhelmed. This book talks about skin issues and has patient stories to go with all of the issues. The part that overwhelmed me was all charts about laser treatments, peels, injections, etc. But after I really thought about the book, the more I realized how awesome it really is. Here I am, a busy mom with 3 kids, who is lucky to wash my face twice a day. I am now in my 30's and I know that I really need to take care of my skin. I feel it changing, I see small wrinkles, and I know that my 20 year old skin is gone. This book covers all skin issue from acne, uneven skin, birthmarks, stretch marks, general dermatology and more. For every problem it gives recommendations. It is very thorough and it made me realize that not only is it important to take care of my skin, but there are many treatments for those things that we do not like. By exploring this book you can see all those different options. It was written by two dermatologists and an expert in laser dermatology. Good stuff.

sewing a bit

I hemmed my first pair of pants tonight..... just a small step for a mom like me. They are very imperfect, but they are for a 5 year old boy so I'm not sure many people will notice! At least I hope not. Mark was just glad that I saved us $30 (I actually hemmed 2 pairs of jeans which usually costs us $15 each to tailor).

my favorite decorations

I am selective of which artwork I keep at the end of every school year (this includes his two years at preschool). They do so many art projects, plus a bunch of different things for each holiday. I decided to keep the most traditional pieces, like these pumpkins for Halloween. You know kids always do at least one pumpkin every year! The center one was done his first year of preschool and the other two were done last year. Aren't they cute? And by keeping them, they make great decorations in our home during Halloween. For this picture I lined them up, but normally I have them in different spots. I love them because they are so festive and they make me so happy to look at! I can't wait to get this year's pumpkin to add to the collection. I also can't wait to get out his Thanksgiving and Christmas artwork to decorate this year too.

in person

Remember the Baby Gap outfit I posted about last week....well here it is! Cute right? The whole outfit (minus the bow from Cakies) is from Baby Gap.

cookies

Our family just devoured these Singoalla cookies from Ikea...they are always near the checkout lines and they are soooo good. These are the ones with raspberry jam and a vanilla cream in the middle (Mark and I both like these best), but they also have the Ballerina ones that are chocolate and vanilla. Yum!

you already know i love them

We just got these in the mail today for Piper....adorable. We also bought a black pair for Brody but they were so narrow we couldn't get his foot in, so buyers beware for your kids. Madden told me he wants a pair for his first birthday (Grandma did you hear that?).

cozy kitchen stuff

Did anyone look through the latest Williams-Sonoma catalog? It was pretty small but so delicious! Maybe it's the rainy weather but it made me want to go splurge on a bunch of things. Here are some items I wish I had in my kitchen right now!

Breville Countertop Convection Oven- This little beauty looks amazing (and it got great reviews). It has nine functions: toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat and warm. It has an optional convection fan and a nonstick baking chamber. From what I read, it can do almost anything and bakes it to perfection...even your toast! $249.95

Lattice and Apple Pocket Pie Molds- Only the lattice mold is shown, but the apple one is adorable too. Making little pies looks so fun, they are easy to use, and can be filled with your favorite sweet or savory fillings. $16.95

All-Clad Delux Slow Cooker- Has push-button controls and a digital display, 7qt nonstick aluminum insert can go from stovetop to slowcooker to table, automatically keeps food warm until serving time, stainless steel. $279.95

i want

I came across this etsy store today called YesJess and I'm totally in love! I REALLY love the Zig Zag Tam in Pumpkin Pie Orange (did you hear that Mark?). I'm also digging her cowls and her chain necklaces. Basically everything is super cute and makes me want winter and a cup of hot chocolate!

burgers and more

Have you eaten at The Counter? It's pretty tasty! Just picture cocktails and burgers updated from the classic burger joint. You get to build-your-own gourmet burger (or salad) with ingredients like English muffins, turkey burgers, brie, dill pickle chips or ginger soy glaze to name a very few. In fact you can make over 312,120 combinations with all of their ingredients. It can be basic or super fancy and it's totally up to you. The starter Fried Dill Pickly Chips are really good too. Anyhow you should definitely try it! (and did I mention it has a bar too?)

i can't blog tonight

Watching the Chilean miners being rescued...I've had it on my tv or computer for the last 4 hours and 40 minutes. There are no words for the emotions I have felt so far.

Anyways, I can't blog any more than this because I can't take my eyes of the tv. I'll be back tomorrow.

prayers needed

Our dear friend David McIntosh was in a motorcycle accident on 10/9/2010. He suffered a major head injury, multiple broken ribs and 5-10 fractures in his spine as well as damage to his spleen. He is currently highly sedated and on a respirator. Please keep him in your prayers, he has a lot of people praying for him, but we need all the prayers we can get! A fund for his medical bills is currently being set up, as well as a restaurant fundraiser. I will keep you posted. You can also track his progress on the "Super Dave's support and fan page" on Facebook.

XO

best favors

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this favor table and I will definitely incorporate something like this at one of my parties. Who wouldn't love to take some of those amazing things home, instead of the usual stuff that ends up in the trash! It's like a mini farmer's market! Check out the party here.

monday funday

It's Monday and the weather is nice here again. I bet we will be spending a few days at the park after school this week! Make it a great week!

tip from a reader!

Reader and friend Marisa let me know about these Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets. You drop one in the washer instead of detergent and then transfer it to the dryer with your clothes. Rad right? It's your detergent, softener and anti-static all in one. Here's what Marisa said, "It covered all of my laundry needs on vacation. I think the ease of use when traveling make them well worth it." Great idea for traveling and possibly at home replacing your regular detergent.

To get more info go here! If you click on the "Learn More" button you can get a coupon too!

thanks doctor

I don't know why, but I find it funny that Baby #3 has been the best at nursing. I still have tons of milk and we have only used a bottle or formula a handful of times. I haven't dried up like I did with the first one (made it 9 months). There are no allergy issues that made nursing difficult like the second one (I made it 7 months). This time around I have almost reached the 12 month mark and it has been smooth sailing. Since Madden is not use to a bottle, his pediatrician suggested we go straight to a sippy cup with a straw rather than a regular sippy cup when we introduced water this week. I LOVED this idea (and it totally worked and he figured it out fast). I hate sippy cups everywhere and going straight to the straw ones will limit the 9,000 different kinds I buy each time. I'll start with these easy grip ones and then before we know it he should be able to use the thermos type ones we already have. So if you are in a similar situation, I totally recommend trying it too!

LOVE

I am in LOVE with the new show Raising Hope on Fox. It is adorable, hilarious and touching all at the same time. Each episode gets better and better. Martha Plimpton totally steals the show for me, but honestly the whole cast rocks. And like I said, it gets better with every episode. If you haven't seen it yet, go online and catch up here (watch them in this order: Pilot, Dead Tooth and then Dream Hoarders) . You totally need to watch the first episodes to really get the back story. I LOVE it!

comfort

The weather has been strange here in California. It was over 100 degrees last week and soccer practices were being cancelled because it was too hot. Now it's raining this week and soccer practices are being cancelled because it's too wet. If I had to choose one, I would pick the rainy weather. I love Fall. But, so does my waistline. I just want comfort foods all day long.

I don't like soup. I don't think I ever have, but I have two exceptions. The first is my mom's Potato Cheese Soup. The second is Nordstrom Cafe's Roma Tomato Basil Soup (pictured above). It is delicious. Please say you have tried it, because if you haven't you should go tomorrow and have a cup or a bowl. Yum! I have been thinking about it all night, and even though the weather will be in the 80's in the next few days....I still know I will somehow devour a whole bowl at the first chance I get.

P.S. Want the recipe? I found it here... and also read the comments because one is from someone who worked at Nordstrom and they gave their two cents as well.

pajama time

Fall and Winter are upon us and there is one thing I have noticed.... all of my kids have outgrown last year's warmer pajamas. Carters are by far still my favorite pajamas for little ones. So I am now officially collecting new pajamas to get us through the colder months ahead. To purchase Carter's pjs I love the Carter's store, Target, Babies R Us and now they sell them online too (just go here).

update

just an update from this post last week. i am having major gossip site withdrawals. i keep going to my bookmarks to see what's going on in the world of unimportant news but it's not there. i feel like i gave up some kind of addiction. i just had to share. but i am still going strong and i am sticking with it!