Dinosaur Train

Every pre-schooler I know is in love with Dinosaur Train. I saw bits of it for the first time today....two thumbs up, both the boys were glued to Aunt Duchess' computer screen.

Fair Isle Pants

Almost done making these for the boys for Christmas. NOT in these colors! I did brown, deep red, and gold.

Clear Backpack

I bought this for "W" about a month ago for Christmas. He was in a stage where he had to carry multiple toys with him everywhere he went, to help him with transitioning. This was just the ticket to haul his crap. He's seems to be growing out of that nightmarish stage, but I still think he'll like this.

Bullyland Dinosaurs

"W" is two, he loves dinosaurs, he can tell you which dino is which. He likes to play rough. ET and CPK (both under the age of 1) get the brunt of his wild play. That's why "W" is getting Bullyland from Santa this year. They're realistic (vital for him) and they're soft (vital for little bro and cuz).

Forage

Parents are sooo hard to buy for, no? If they enjoy fine dining......a gift certificate to Forage would be perfect.

The Very Cranky Bear

Picked this up at "W"s scholastic book fair today.....it's a winner, I luv it.

Blast Buddy

LUV this for the musically inclined child. And it's older brother the Boom Buddy.

Burt's Bees Naturally Ageless Skin Firming Night Creme

I have to admit, this made it into my shopping basket because I thought it was $10 less expensive than it really was. But, IT'S WORTH IT. It smells so good and love the weight, not to heavy, not too light. I'm a fanatic when it comes to lotions and hard to please.

Holiday Photo Cards

I'm one of those people who has to have a photo with their Christmas cards. I really think the usual places stepped up the design quality this year. Lot's of favorites.....lots that I don't like to use 'cause they're too girly for my boys.

Floral Cascade

Branched Bliss

Whimsical Delight

Retro Red

Black Houndstooth

Zoo Lights

I wanna go check out the Zoo Lights with the boys tonight.

Teether Ball

I just had to give ET one of his Christmas presents early. This ball is perfect and easy for him to hold on to.

The Elf on the Shelf

This is the cutest book ever. The story tells about how Santa sends an elf (which comes with the book) to every home to watch and see if the children are being good. :) Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Russian Bogatirs (Warriors)

I wanted to get "W" some nesting santas or nutcrackers for Christmas, but I found these instead. Since they were Russian, I had to get one for Little Sir, as well. This site made for quite a few great gifts.

Word Cloud

I was so taken with my sister's sweet design on her hopeful adoption profile, thought I'd share. These are free to design yourself at Wordle. Very cool.

Old World Christmas Market

Dang, I was at the Gateway on Saturday and I missed this. Better go back and check it out.

Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears

If you've never had Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears before, you are sooooo missing out.

Vancouver 2010

We were so very lucky to host the 2002 Olympics in Utah, even more lucky to be able to attend some events, and even luckier still to see Olympic history made when the US took all 3 medals at the snowboarding event we attended. But.......that doesn't stop me from longing to attend Vancouver 2010. I mean, who knows when getting to the Olympics will be attainable again in my lifetime. And, Vancouver is only my absolute favorite city in the whole world......sigh. Still up in the air. US tics available here.

Wish List Meme

Doing this Meme for Utah Mama's Holiday Wish List Giveaway

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

a. camera lens'

b. how-to classes

c. clothes!

d. time :)

e. socks

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

My sister knit me a Floozy Sweater when I was pregnant with ET. I love it and I still wear it all the time.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

It may be easier to answer "what handmade gift haven't I always wanted to tackle?" I am interested in silversmithing as of late, anybody know where I can learn?

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

Wow, that's hard. I always asked for furniture even when I was real young. Gossip bench, cedar chest, sleigh bed, how could I choose?

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

They are a bit young to express too much, but "W" is into dinosaurs and cars and ET is into being mobile. I am definitely the one that is more excited to look at the toy catalogs. I can't decide, there is going to be some major narrowing down.

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

cocktail shrimp (for breakfast @ Grandma's Christmas morning)

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

jewelry, handknit anything, still working out details and besides they're surprises

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

I don't really have one. Keep thinking Four Christmases looks funny.

9. Favorite holiday song?

Winter Wonderland

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

All of the traditions, Christmas PJ's, Family Feasts, Stockings, etc.

Too Many Toys

I just received this book today through "W"s book order, funny and sooo true. Something to keep in mind with the toy holiday frenzie approaching.

Picky Sticky

The Duchess found these at a mommy friendly conference that she attended. They're stickers to put on a white onesie and take a picture to see how your baby grows each month. They also have pregnancy stickers for your growing belly, clever, no?

MindFlex Mental Game

This game is unbelievable. Top of the Family Christmas List.

Playmobil Advent Calendar

I was looking for an advent calendar to make, but when I saw this I decided it can wait 'til next year. I think I'll just save the pieces and then make a more permanent holder.

Headbands on Etsy

My next purchase is a headband.....or two. I'm loving these creations on Etsy. I love the feathers and the handmade flowers and the vintage beads and the maribou and the felt. Some as low as $7.00, but many $15-$30. I don't know......maybe make my own?

Wonder How To

I could spend hours and hours on this website. "How to" videos from jewelry making....to baking....to applying makeup....to AN.Y.THING! Luv, luv it.

Junior Whirly Wheel

This looks like fun.

Martha's Eggplant Parmesan

When the Food Co-op gives you eggplant, make eggplant parmesan. I made this last night, yum. I made spaghetti noodles to go with it.

Stinky Face Books

I love these Stinky Face Books that my mom told me about. They just "fit", you know? We have our own unusual "terms of endearment" around here.

Ectoplasm Slime

"W" needed little favors for his pre-school class on Friday. We are making slime for all the kids.
1 teaspoon soluble fiber (metamucil)
1 C water
food coloring (optional)
glow paint (optional)
ointment jars from your local independent pharmacy

1. Pour the water and fiber into a large microwave safe bowl.
2. Microwave the ectoplasm on high power for 3 minutes.
3. Stir the ectoplasm. Return it to the microwave and heat it for another 3 minutes.
4. Stir the ectoplasm and check it's consistency.
5. Add food coloring or glow paint.
6. Store in sealed baggie or jar to prevent dehydration.

CHI

This marvelous little instrument has come down in price enough that I could finally justify buying one. If I had only known how it would change my life......I would have paid much, much more. I bought mine at Costco for $60, I believe they used to be well over $100.

Speaking of making my life easier. I cannot believe I hadn't bought a hair dryer with a retractable cord in the past. Don't ask me why I love that feature so much.

Striped Sneaker @ Crazy 8

I wanted to get "W" some red sneakers at Children's Place last spring, but they didn't have his size. I saw these on Crazy 8, not as bright, but cute. Thanks for the reminder, sis.

Chelsea Stirlen Photography

I've never met this photographer, but she is very talented. The last two posts on her blog "super mom +3" and "...good things come in small packages..." are photos taken of my friend's twins/family and my cousin's new baby boy/little girl. Have you ever seen anything so adorable?
Wow, lots of photographers lately, hope you need some photos done.

Sunset and Camden

Sunset and Camden had a booth at the Pumpkin Walk yesterday. These boots are soooo cute and the headbands.........well..........I want one for myself. The blog with prices will be up shortly.

Pumpkin Walk @ Benson Grist Mill

Heading to the Pumpkin Walk again this year, but not for $1.00 hay rides. This time, I going to get the kids' pictures taken in their costumes for $3 by Sun Cottage Photography. I know you can get them for free at a few places, but I'm thinking "cute" for $3 is better than "not-cute" for free. I'm talking about the backdrop here people, c'mon, no floating random scarecrows in the background.

Haunted House

For some reason this book was stored in the cabinet under our kitchen counter when I was a kid (I guess it never made it into the Halloween box). I would discover it on occasion and awe over it's clever pop-ups. A random little tid-bit from my childhood, which evolved into a love for the book.

Garanimals @ #*!#@!

I'm cringing as I type, but I must confess. At my once yearly trip to Wal-mart I found these t-shirts for "W" that have been absolutely perfect at an even better price. I bought a bunch of different colors and in stores they have stripes (in very vibrant colors, luv it) and I just put them on under his summer t-shirts and wallah, winter wardrobe.

October Faves

I have a lot of Halloween traditions (mostly food related), but I did blog about most of them last year. I thought I would link to all of my favorite Halloween posts from last year.
Pumpkin Bagels
Pumpkin Cake Dessert
Pumpkin Waffle Mix
seeing a trend here?
The Worst Witch