5 Great Uses for a Ziploc Freezer Bag

There are some everyday items that are like transformers:  More than meets the eye!  (Ok, all your 80s kids, try getting that theme song out of your head).  My latest love fest is with the freezer bag.  Here's my top 5 uses for a freezer bag while you're on the go.

1.  An Instant Wet Bag - Everyone's kid has had an accident somewhere at some point.  Whether they miss the bathroom or get sick or even spill their drink, it's supremely nice to have a place to put the wet clothes so they don't stink/gum/dirty everything else up.  (Bonus:  Store a kid's outfit you won't miss much in a ziplock in the car and you'll have a change of clothes AND a wet bag).

2.  Emergency Potty - Sometimes kids have to go.  And go RIGHT NOW.  And sometimes, the nearest bathroom is miles away.  You can either hop out of the car on the side of the road and take your chances with splattering clothes, or you can help out by using this as mini-potty.  Sounds gross, but you can't always get out of the car, so this allows you to let your kiddo go in the car if need be.  Besides, using the bag for this is better than needing the bag for a wet pair of clothes.

3.  Morning Sickness Bag - We all know morning sickness doesn't know when morning is and can strike at any time.  Outside works the best, but some people don't take too kindly to your ralphing on their lawn.  Here's a good second option.  Also works well for kids in car seats if you can't get to the side of the road fast enough.

4.  Waterproof Trash Bag - Empty drink containers are never really empty.  To prevent unwanted leaks all over your car, this is a nice option.  Specifically when you have something that's going to smell later, like milk. 

5.  Stink Container - Most people have had to change their baby in the car.  Sometimes you need a place to contain the stench of a poopy diaper until you've reached a place to throw it away properly.  These do as good a job as anything I've tried.

Any suggestions you've tried?

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, check out We Are That Family.

WFMW: Myself Belts - Teaching Toddler Independence and a GIVEAWAY!

When Bean potty trained and started wearing normal underoos, her pants went from fitting normally to perpetually falling off of her non-existant hips.  Elastic waisted pants were easier and didn't droop.  But the jeans and khaki pants?  She'd either run around with one hand constantly yanking her drawers up, or the pants would fall down around her knees by the time she'd slow down enough for me to hike them back up.

It was driving me INSANE.

So I bought a few regular belts and those did the job quite nicely.

Except the poor kid could not for the life of her figure out how to undo the belt and get herself to the bathroom when necessary.  When she'd try, half the time, she'd end up having an accident because it'd take so long.  It actually set us back as she started to be extremely reluctant to go to the bathroom on her own.

So a solution needed to be found.

Enter Myself Belts.  Created by enterprising moms who not only saw the same problem I saw, but put their efforts into finding a solution.

Myself Belts are made with a snap on one end that fastens onto a belt loop and a piece of velcro on the outer side of the snap.


 The other end has a corresponding piece of velcro so that when the belt is threaded through the loops, the loose end can be fasted onto the stationary piece with one hand.


 (Much clearer instructions here). 

This belt is absolutely awesome.  Bean loves being able to do it one handed and by herself.  I love not having to correct her plumbers crack every time she wears a pair of jeans.

The belts come in leather, patterned webbing, and metallic patterns.  From fancy to casual, there's a belt for every occasion for every kid.

We're on our second belt here, having grown out of the first one.  I can easily say that we'll continue to purchase these for our kids as long as they need them.  I would suggest ordering a size bigger than what you'd think you'd need as it's easy to cinch the belt tightly, but not so easy to cinch it at all when it gets too small.

Myself Belts also make larger sized belts for special needs adults and teens with dexterity problems.  I love that.

For one of you lucky readers, the generous creators of Myself Belts have agreed to give away a belt!  Comment on this post by February 4th with your favorite item or way to help you kid gain a little independence and I'll randomly chose a winner on the eve of February 4th.  The winner will get a girls belt or a boys belt in the size of their choosing!  Best wishes!



Things that teach my kiddos independence work for me!  For more WFMW tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer

WFMW: Smelly Washer Review and Giveaway!

I have a smelly washer.  It smells like wet socks that have been left in the dryer for two weeks. 

In other words, gross.

But I should rephrase.  I HAD a smelly washer.  Awhile ago, I posted a cry for help to try to get my washer odor eliminated.  I'd tried EVERYTHING.  I left the door open, I cleaned it out with bleach, I sprinkled holy water on it, EVERYTHING.  Some things would work for a day or two, and then I'd notice that awful mildew odor creeping back. 

Turns out, in most HE washers, water and detergent residue get built up behind the seal and start to form mold. 

Gross, isn't it? 

Anyway, one of the comments on that post was from the creator of Smelly Washer.

Smelly Washer Solution is billed as an all natural (VERY important to me) solution to smelly washer odor. 

A quick email exchange later, and he agreed to send me a container for testing. 

Enter a chorus of angels singing. 

Because it's nearly impossible to get the water level high enough to soak the upper part of the seal, I did have to wipe behind it once with a few clorox wipes.  Then I set the washer up to soak, added the Smelly Washer solution, and added some more water.  It sat for hours and did its thing.  (For more detailed instructions for your particular type of washer, visit the Smelly Washer Blog)

Then I set it to spin and drain.  And that?  That was probably the grossest part of all.  Little moldy flecks were pouring into the sink and smelled AWFUL. 

I repeated the process twice and then?

Then I opened the washer door and gingerly stuck my head in to smell...

NOTHING!

It's awesome.  Worth the money and the time.

I'll continue to use Smelly Washer to maintain a mildew free washer tub and I have no doubt it will continue to do its job like a charm!  

For you, my lovely readers, I have a container to share!  Comment on this post with the grossest description of your smelly washer smell, and I'll randomly pick a winner two weeks from today.  (January 21st 2009).

 
Things that take mildew odor out of my washer REALLY work for me.  For more Works For Me Wednesday tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

Product Review: Pop-A-Tot

We were given the opportunity to test a pretty fun piece of baby equipment for the past month.  Behold, the Pop-A-Tot.

Pop-A-Tot's creators are the parents of 5 children who, as outdoor enthusiasts, wanted a safe place for the smallest member of their family while they were out and about.

The Pop-A-Tot is a great alternative for an Exersaucer. I love the fact that it's as lightweight enough to literally carry along on your shoulder.  The carry bag allows you to tote it along quite easily.  Remarkably, it doesn't feel awkward to carry.

It pulls out of the bag and opens easily, fastening with two clips.

 

Initially, we were hesitant about the product because it seemed like our 6 month old was swallowed in it and her legs didn't touch.  The age range is 6 months to 18 months, so we knew we were on the young end of the age range.  (And come to find out, we had quite a tiny 6 month old).  There is no height adjustment.  But C seemed to love being in it for short periods of time and eventually, we decided to pad the bottom with something sturdy to allow her feet to rest on something.  After that, she enjoyed being in the seat even more.

 
As she's grown, she's come to enjoy it more and more.  So far, we've taken it outside, to grandmom's house, to a promotional event for a local restaurant, to Thanksgiving dinner, and often put it into the trunk to take to places where baby-proofing might be at a minimum.

The Pop-A-Tot runs about $50-$60 which I think is definitely worth it.  It's about on par with an Exersaucer, price wise.  The major difference between a Pop-A-Tot and an Exersaucer is the versitility of the entertainment.  On an Exersaucer, the toys are generally fixed, (though you can get older versions where there are no toys, which allows you to put your own on the tray).  The Pop-A-Tot has tabs where you can attach toys via linking rings, (the common component to most play mats).  Toys can be rotated to keep a child's interest.

 The Pop-A-Tot also has cupholders for snacks and drinks, though C loves putting toys into them and taking them out.

We started off as fans of this product and we're enjoying it more and more with every use. For those with more than one child, this is a great way to provide a safe place for your littlest one at events for your older kids.  Because of it's compact storage size, it's also an ideal alternative for those who have small apartments or houses.  I'd recommend it for sure.

Check out the Pop-A-Tot site for more information and for ordering information.

The Pop-A-Tot makes life with a little one much easier, and that works for me.  For more Works-For-Me-Wednesday tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

Product Review: Little Playful Chef's Kit

Bean has loved helping in the kitchen since she was old enough to stand on a chair.  She loves helping with dishes, mixing things in a bowl, and definitely tasting things.

We were given the opportunity to review a Little Playful Chef's Kit and it's been a hit around here.

As soon as the package arrived, Bean BEGGED me to put the apron on her.  I found that the apron was easily adjustable and would fit a variety of sizes.  I love that aspect because I know it'll fit her for years to come.

Oh, she wore the apron for days straight.

The kit includes child-sized tools that are just right for the beginning set to learn their way around kitchen utensils.

But the genius of the product are the recipe cards that accompany the set.  Each card has a shopping list, a tool list, and the recipe.  But the best part is that there are easy ways on each card to engage your child in learning about nutrition, kitchen safety, measurements, and sequencing.

The creator of this product also makes a cookbook.  When reviewing the Little Chef's Kit,  that was my first thought:  "They should SO make a cookbook!"  I'm really excited to pick the cookbook up and start making other recipes.  

Each of the measuring cups and spoons are color coded so that even the youngest child can begin to "read" the recipes by matching the color needed on the recipe card with the color on their utensil.  Bean loved being able to feel independent when I'd ask her to find the right spoon.

The recipes are healthy and VERY easy to understand.  (Rather crucial for the young set).  Bean and I chose to make the pita pizza and found that we both learned things as we read through the cards.

It was an interesting exercise in self control for me as well.  The instructions very clearly state what are kid jobs vs. what are parent jobs.  I had to step back after explaining directions and allow Bean to have at it.  The result was a very self satisfied kid who inhaled the entire dish.  I suspect that had a lot to do with the "I MADE IT!" factor.

All in all, the kit is a big hit at our house.  When not in use, the apron, recipe cards, and tools store in a clear backpack that is easily tucked into a cabinet or hung behind a door.

Playful Life, the company producing this product, is dedicated to teaching kids life skills that will help them as they get older.  The company is dedicated to helping parents teach their kids every day through meaningful activities that are also a ton of fun.  Their products are appealing to kids in so many ways:  colorful, simple, and easy to understand.  I love the company's vision and goals and wouldn't hesitate to buy more of their products in the future.

Anything that helps me have fun with my kids while in the kitchen works for me!  For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

Cloth Diaper Showdown and GIVEAWAY!

***  Edited to add - If you have any questions or comments regarding cloth diapering, email me at rollingthroughlooneyville@gmail.com and I'd be glad to answer them for you.

Also, here's another comprehensive review that involves several other diapers.  So if you're interested in learning more, this is a great place for more comparisons.

And due to the overwhelming amount of comments from those who are considering cloth diapers but finding the choices and methods unclear or unreliable, I'll be posting a Cloth Diapering 101 post in the next week

One more thing:  If you're interested in purchasing any of these diapers, click on their name in the review and it'll take you to a retailer

Keep commenting and good luck!  ***

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Before I had kids, I chalked cloth diapers up to be complicated, messy, and gross.  Surprisingly, I've come to find that none of the above is true.  We've been cloth diapering C since she was about 3 months old.  Initially, on recommendation from a friend, we bought a few to try and found that they were remarkably easy.  So we decided to get some more to round out our cloth diaper stash.

And woah, there are some serious varieties out there.

Cloth diapers run the gamut from basic prefold diapers with waterproof pants, to one piece numbers that are as easy as disposables.   Most of the ones we tested are pocket diapers.  The outer layer is a waterproof material and the inner layer is most often fleece which wicks away moisture.  The two layers are open on one end to form a pocket where an insert can be placed.  The insert is what holds the liquid.  I also reviewed one cotton diaper with a liner, and two all-in-ones where the insert is sewn into the diaper.


Some diapers are sized and some are one-sized with snaps to fit to your baby's needs.

A lot to consider, no?

So, in order to find out which we liked the best, we acquired about 6 additional brands to test.  Our month long review consisted of repeated wears by our little one as well as many, MANY washings.

I rated each diaper on an A-D scale on the basis of five categories:  performance, ease of use, appearance, ease of care and durability.  (A is obviously the best and D is the worst). 


BumGenius All-In-One - $15.95   

Performance - B+
Ease of Use - A
Appearance - A
Ease of Care - C
Durability - B- 

These diapers are super cute.  They are almost as trim as a disposable, which is a major boon in our book.  The velcro closures are always a hit with my husband, but I don't like them as much.  Despite having wash tabs, where the sticky sides can go during a wash load, I did find that the velcro began to lose its stick a bit.  A fact that I can imagine will get worse with time.  This diaper didn't leak, though I always felt that I had to adjust it to be sure that C was completely comfortable.  Perhaps this had to do with sizing, though the medium was far too big, so I can't assume that.  I hated drying these diapers as they took FOR-EVER.  Even in the dryer, I often had to run the cycle twice to get the dampness out of the diaper.  In the sun, they by far took the longest of all diapers.  Left at all damp, as with any clothing, they would start to give off a musty odor.
Overall Rating :  B- 
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Q Diapers Pocket Diaper - $8.99 (included insert)

Performance - D
Ease of Use - C
Appearance -B
Ease of Care - B+
Durability - D

I can't even find a link for this diaper anymore.  I bought it on Ebay while searching for new, lesser known diaper brands to try.  Well, apparently there's a good reason for that.  Superficially, they're cute.  However, upon closer examination, the stitches appear hastily done and crooked and the workmanship is overall sub par.   This diaper leaked constantly.  I couldn't seem to get a good fit with the small pieces of velcro, and even when I got it snug, it still leaked.  Despite the velcro, I felt that this diaper took a significant amount of wiggling to fit onto the baby. It was relatively easy to wash and dry, though an absence of wash tabs generally made this diaper stick to whatever it ended up next to in the dryer.  I stopped using it altogether.   
Overall rating:  D
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 Fuzzi Bunz Pocket Diaper Sized Medium $17.95 (with insert)

Performance - A
Ease of Use -B+
Appearance -B
Ease of Care - A-
Durability - A

 These were the first cloth diapers I owned and used on both of my kids, so they have a little bit of a soft spot for me.  They're very cute to see the baby wearing, though they do tend to be quite bulky despite being sized.  My daughter was well within the weight range for the diaper but it came up really high which seemed to make sitting uncomfortable. This remedied with time as she grew taller, but it was still a pain while it lasted.  I also had some problems with the insert hanging out of the back of the diaper.  This wasn't necessarily a problem now, but as she grows and wets heavier, I expect that some wicking will occur when this happens.  They're as easy as any other pocket diaper to clean:  remove insert, wash, dry according to instructions.  No velcro means no sticking to other diapers.  The snaps are easy to figure out, though I often found that it was tough to get a good fit when she seemed to be in between snap positions.  They're super durable and one actually survived a dog chewing.  Not too shabby.   
Overall rating:  B+/A-
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Tiny Tush Elite One Size Pocket Diaper - $18.95 (with insert)

Performance - A
Ease of Use -B+
Appearance -B+
Ease of Care - A
Durability - A

This is one of my two favorites from doing this review.  I loved the one size aspect.  The snaps allowed for multiple sizes to wear the diaper, ensuring that it could go from a newborn to a toddler with no trouble. I did find the snaps mildly confusing as there are a ton of them.  However, you can leave the diaper snapped to the size that you use it while washing, cutting down on time spent figuring out the snaps.   There was ample room within the diaper for a thick insert, though a smaller insert stayed put quite nicely.  They're cute, though they can be a bit bulky with a larger insert.  I found that this diaper, when snapped correctly, always gave a snug fit and never leaked.  They have an overlapping piece of microfleece in the back to ensure that the insert remains snugly in the diaper, a feature I found to be valuable considering the FuzziBunz problems with this.   
Overall rating:  A-
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Tiny Tush Trim Organic Cotton One Size Fitted Cloth Diaper $16.95

With a Tiny Tush Diaper Cover $11.95  

Performance - A
Ease of Use -B+
Appearance -B+
Ease of Care - A
Durability - A





I was rather shocked to find out how much I really liked this diaper.  It's made of organic cotton which allows for a natural fiber to be next to the baby's skin.  This is a must for many people, though I found that this was one of the main reasons I wouldn't necessarily chose this type as my main diaper.  I change my daughter as often as I feel she is wet, though I don't   always get to her right away.  Thus, she's often with a wet diaper next to her skin as cotton doesn't wick away moisture.  Maybe not such a big deal during the day, but for naps and bedtime, I put the baby in a diaper with a microfleece layer.  The other reason that I would be hesitant to use this diaper is the cost.  Although I imagine that you can reuse a wrap more than once, you would need to purchase a few in addition to your stash of diapers which makes for a rather expensive venture.  However, the diapers are GOOD, and excellent quality, so if it's natural fibers you're looking for, these are the diapers for you.  Each diaper is one-sized to fit from newborn to toddler.  In addition to the diaper, each has a snap in layer for extra absorption.  (And they are massively absorpant to begin with).  The site suggests that you can even use this snap in layer alone inside a liner for small babies and newborns.  This diaper NEVER leaked and always held a ton.  I liked the reinforced side gussets on the cover.  I totally felt like any blowout would be easily contained.   
Overall rating:  B+
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Kushies Ultra All-In-One Medium $11.95 single or $45.00 for a five pack

Performance - B-
Ease of Use -C
Appearance - B-
Ease of Care - A
Durability - B

These diapers are made with a waterproof outer layer, several layers of absorbant cotton, and a cotton flap inside the diaper (which you can double up in certain areas for different genders).  The outside fastens with velcro.  There are laundry tabs which helps with the care factor.  In fact, these are the easiest diapers to take care of as they clean easily and dry quickly.  I am not a huge fan of the cotton inside layer as it allows moisture to sit against my daughter's skin.  These diapers are also extremely awkward in how big they are in some areas.  The velcro allows for a significant amount of adjusting; however, I was never able to adjust well enough to really close the leg holes snugly.  And I have a chunky legged little one.  They've leaked a few times, which I'm chalking up to a bad fit rather than poor absorption.  The outer layer is extremely durable and looks brand new but the inner layer is starting to pill badly.  Not a huge deal, but not as comfortable as the initial wearings.  They're super cheap for all-in-one cloth diapers, so if you're looking for a few to have on hand for baby sitters or for a relative who isn't familiar with cloth diapering, these are a steal.   
Overall rating:  B-
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BumWear One Sized Pocket Diaper $17.95 (insert not included)

Performance - A
Ease of Use -A-
Appearance - A+
Ease of Care - A
Durability - A

Definitely my favorite diaper of the bunch.  First of all, this diaper is CUTE!  There is absolutely no denying that fact.  The gorgeous printed outer layer is accented by a pretty fleece layer in a contrasting color.  I love putting this on my daughter.  In warmer weather, this is a cute bottom all on its own.  But aside from the cute factor, this diaper preforms fabulously.  After many wearings and washings, this diaper has yet to leak or to pill.  The outside looks as new as the day it arrived.  The snaps took a bit of getting used to, but there are less than on other one-sized diapers which lessened the confusion considerably.  I loved the fact that this diaper had elastic on both the back top and the FRONT top.  This is highly unusual, but something I craved in a cloth diaper.  I found that on many diapers, the rise made it slightly difficult to sit upright when the diaper was snugly fastened.  I learned to loosen the tops of most diapers for a more comfortable upright fit, but with these, I didn't have to.  The elastic allows the diaper to stretch against my daughter's baby belly without causing discomfort.  The diaper itself allows for small inserts or large inserts depending on your needs.  This diaper also folds to be the smallest one sized diaper I tried.  If you fold down the top of the diaper, the inner layer of the fleece has an additional row of snaps for the tiny baby.  I thought that these snaps might bother my daughter, but she never complains when wearing this diaper.  I will gladly buy more of these.   
Overall Rating:  A
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Now, for the fun news!  A GIVEAWAY!  Actually, three!  For three lucky readers, BumWear has graciously offered to give away one of their fabulous pocket diapers reviewed above AND an insert!  Woot!


If you're new to cloth diapering or you're looking to change brands, I can't recommend these highly enough, so enter for a chance to win!


In order to enter, please comment on this post with a valid email address.  If your email address is not included, I will have no way of contacting you and will have to move on to another winner. 
Winners will be RANDOMLY chosen using a random number generator. 

Close of the contest will be December 12, 2008 at 11:59pm.
One entry per person.

If you would like additional entries, please do one or both of the following:


Blog about and link to this giveaway and comment with a link back to your blog entry
or
Subscribe to this blog via RSS and comment that you have done so.  


Thanks everyone and good luck!

Cloth diapers!  They work for me!  For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer

WFMW: Top Six Toddler Snacks

OK, I'm into the lists lately, it seems.  Anyway, I find that we've been in a rut at times looking for new snack foods for Bean (2) to eat that aren't total junk.  Especially since she asks me 11 million times a day for a snack:  ("Mommy, I'm hungry."  "Mommy, can I have a treat?"  "Mommy, I'm really, really hungry."  "Mommy, I think my tummy wants a snack."  "Mommy?  Do you think it's time for dinner?  I DO!"  "Mommy, I'm in my seat!  Where's da food?"  Etc., etc., etc.).

Here's our top six list:

1.  "Peas and Beans" - Bean likes beans.  But her absolute favorite are frozen soybeans. Couple them with frozen peas and she's happy forever.  Being veggies, they're chock full of good stuff.  And sometimes, if she's feeling nice, she'll share a pea or two with her little sister.

2.  Red Pepper Sticks - Not ever kid will like these, but I have found that once they get past the unfamiliar texture and look, most kids love 'em.  Red peppers are naturally sweet and juicy.  If your kid won't go for eating them plain, dress them up with hummus.

3.  Cheese Sticks - Bean likes her cut into circles.  Our friends like them in string form.  I like them in my belly.  Calcium and protein keep us all on the sane side when we're feeling a little run down from the activities of the day.  Bean is actually involved with a love hate relationship with cheese sticks.  But when she's on a hate kick, I get 'em so I'm not complaining :)

4.  Homemade Popsicles - I was really tired of throwing away fruit when it started to get mushy and I vowed to find a solution.  So, this summer I bought a popsicle mold and some plain yogurt.  Regularly, I'll pop some yogurt and whatever fruit is starting to reach its end into the blender and pour it into the molds.  It's healthy, has no added sugar, and kids are getting their calcium, protein, and vitamins.  (This could be a post on it's own, I think).   If you kid balks at the taste of plain yogurt, add some honey for a bit of sweetness to cut the flavor.

5.  Toddler Trail Mix - This one isn't quite as healthy, but it's not bad.  When we're on the go and I know she's going to have some stroller time to deal with, I pack a bag of this.  What's in it?  Well, whatever's in my cabinet, really...  More often than not, it's cereal (cheerios, chex, etc.), pretzels, goldfish (or cheddar bunnies), a graham cracker, raisins (and other dried fruit), nuts (raw almonds, peanuts), and if Daddy packs it, he'll occassionally toss a few chocolate chips or a couple of M&M's in the mix.  She likes when Daddy packs it.  :)

6.  Foamed Milk - Not really a snack, per say, but it holds off the "I'M SO HUNGRY" for awhile.   Lexi likes when I put milk in the Magic Bullet and use the whipping blade until it's foamy.  I add a dash of vanilla and some cinnamon and it's like a treat.

Those work for me!  For more Work For Me Wednesday Tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer

Works For Me Wednesday: Toys Worth Buying

Don't forget about my giveaway that ends Friday!!

I'm a big believer in classic toys.  We have very, very few toys that make noise or light up.  (Namely because they DRIVE ME CRAZY).  I've found that Bean is far more likely to engage with a toy that she can use in as many different ways as her imagination allows.  

Here's my top 10 list of toys worth having in your kids' toy stash.

10.  Tinker Toys - A classic that has absolutely captivated my toddler. At nearly three, she is completely capable of making her own creations and conjuring up elaborate stories about them. 

9.  Blocks - These are great from a very young age.  Babies love to hold and bang blocks together and because they're most often natural wood, they're safe for babies to mouth.  Toddlers love the classic "build and knock down" game.  And preschoolers start to build their own creations and use their imagination.

8.  Play Kitchen - From the day Bean could stand up on her own, this has been one of her favorite toys.  She loved opening and closing the doors as a small toddler and now concocts entire meals complete with place settings and  elaborate ceremony.  In addition to her kitchen, a great set of play food offers countless hours of entertainment.  (And if your toddler is like mine, you'll find that they become ridiculously attached to one or two pieces and carry them EVERYWHERE). 

7.  Books - Does this need explanation?  I think not.  Reading to your kid, and later, helping them to love reading on their own, is quite possibly the BEST thing you can do for your kids' imagination.

6.  Cars - I've yet to meet a kid who doesn't crack up to see a car whizzing across the floor at high speeds.  We also really loved Melissa and Doug's twin race track thing, but I haven't the slightest idea where to find it online. 


5.  Play Dough - I'm a big fan of play dough... either bought or homemade.  However, I do have issues with their accessory toys.  Kids aren't necessarily adept enough to use them properly until they're older.  I say, get the dough and use random kitchen utensils as tools.  Works as well, it's cheaper, and often, easier.

4.  Puzzles - Love the whole Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle line.  But really, she'll do any.  She's up to 48 pieces now, almost entirely by herself. 

3.  Dress Up Clothes - Bean LOVES to dress up.  Our dress up box has very few costumes that were bough in their entirety.  Instead, it's a hodgepodge of  different accessories and  clothes.  And that's generally the very first thing the kids flock to when they come over.  The results are often random, and always hilarious.  I will say that it's worth it to spend money on the most used accessories, like the wands and the crowns and hats.  Otherwise, pick things up here and there.  I definitely suggest getting a mix of both boy and girl outfits.  Little boys don't mind sometimes, but they'd often rather be things like firemen or police officers. 

2.  Little Tykes Cozy Coupe - My neighbor had one when I was a kid.  We all fought over it.  It's as classic as things come.  And it's played with nearly every day.  We have ours inside on our porch and sometimes, we wish we had two to cut down on the bickering when friends come over.  I would suggest searching Craigslist and Yardsales.  There are far too many out there in nearly new shape to justify buying one new.  Besides, even if they're scuffed, a magic eraser will clean 'em right up.

1.  Legos - More sophisticated than blocks.  More possibilities too.  Better for the slightly older kid, though Duplo blocks are a great starter.  They're a great enough toy that I still jostle to play with them myself. 

Bean has other toys that are more modern or new and yes, she plays with them, but these are the things she always comes back to play with.  I would say that it's always, always, ALWAYS worth it to try to buy used when possible.  If things are in great shape, your kids won't notice a bit.  And if they do and complain?  Use it as an opportunity to teach them about conservation and thankfulness. 

Let the holiday season begin!!  WOOT!

For more WFMW tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer

WFMW: Our Current Top 5 Toddler/Parent Activities

So, what do the munchkin and I do to keep ourselves busy as of late?  As a mom of a toddler, I'm often caught wracking my brain to try to figure something out to do at certain points in the day.  This only gets worse when we're home bound, either by a napping sibling or some dreary rotten weather.

Anyway, here are five things that we do often to keep ourselves sane:

1.  I-Spy - I wasn't sure if Bean was going to be too young for this, but one day, in desperation, I tried this one out to get some peace in the car.  BINGO.  She loves it.  "I spy with my little eye something... pink!"  And off we go.  She loves it because it's simple, easy to remember, and we can play it anywhere.  I love it because it reinforces color skills, teaches her to notice the details, and helps her develop perseverance when she's wrong the first time.  Oh, and it keeps her quiet(ish) when we're somewhere without something to play with.

2.  Horsey - (I'm partially putting this one in here to amuse you all with the mental image).  This one's simple.  She holds on to the back of my shirt and I gallop through the house while neighing.  She loves it because she finds it hilarious, I love it because I will pick up items that go in various rooms and deliver them, all the while getting a fair amount of exercise.   So go ahead, get your giggles while you laugh at how ridiculous this must look.

3.  Hide and Seek - Bean's a little young to really understand what it means to actually hide.  Either she'll hide in the open where I can see her or she'll make so much noise that I can't help but know where she is.  But I can hide.  And how.  Bean is of that fun toddler age where she loves to be scared.  So I run off into another room and hide behind the door or in a closet and as she gets near, I pop out and say "RAR!" and she squeals and runs away.  Very quickly, she's back saying, "DO IT AGAIN!"  I don't know quite why she loves being fightened, but it's a lot of fun for both of us.  She loves it because she gets an adrenaline rush.  I love it because she's taking chances and learning about anticipation.


4.  Cooking - Bean LOVES helping me in the kitchen.  I sometimes find it too overwhelming to have her help with actual meals, so we generally reserve this as an activity for something other than dinner or lunch.  Sometimes we make cookies or sometimes we do a snack such as a cut up banana and a scoop of some peanut butter.  She's getting to where she can crack an egg, pour a measuring cup of liquid, and cut items with a butter knife.  She loves it because she's getting to help and often, the finished product means a yummy snack for her.  I love it because it teaches her to follow instructions, be patient, and learn how hard work can yield a great end result.

5.  Crazy Singing - Toddlers don't give a hoot whether we sound good when we sing.  Bean and I take turns making up songs about whatever strikes our fancy.  (More often than not, she instructs me what to sing about:  "Mommy, sing about broccoli and cheese and... and... a moo cow!"  And that's what I'll do.  It doesn't much matter if the song rhymes or even makes a whole lot of sense.  She loves it because she's getting to hear music, the songs are about her favorite things, and she has control over the outcome.  I love it because it's teaching her to be creative, to learn new words, and to use music to tell stories.

So there you have it... five ways to entertain a toddler on a housebound day.  I know you all have plenty more that you do with your kids, so share away in the comments!  Especially if you can share something that'll help me get away from having to be "horsey" again this week :)

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WFMW: Taking Great Photos of Kids

OK, part of me feels kind of ridiculous posting on this being that I'm nothing more than an amateur photographer at best.  But alas, there are things that I've learned that I feel are easy enough for the most technophobic among us.



1.  Capture the kids on their turf, in their element.  Kids are far more likely to let loose with a genuine smile if they're having a good time.

 2.  If you're planning a photo shoot, remember that simple backgrounds are always the best.  You want to see the kids, not the random scenery.  The best background is a background that complements, but isn't overtly noticed.

 3.  Don't be afraid of taking pictures when they're not looking at the camera or not smiling.  Sometimes, these are the pictures that really capture the funny parts of your kid's personality.

4.  TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES.  You can always, always, always delete later.  You'll kick yourself for missing a moment if you're busy deleting pictures while you're in the process.

 5.  Get down on eye level with them.  It's much less awkward looking than shooting from above.

 6.  End with something fun!  Let the kids make silly faces or run around or throw things in the air.  And then let them see the pic if it's digital.  Keep them excited about the process and they're more likely to be ok with doing it again.  

 Those are the six things that are probably the most basic of tips.  I'll post a more in depth version later.   If you've got some tips, I'd love to hear them!!

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