Today

It's a blistery 73 degrees in my house this morning and I'm indulging in a cup of Sencha tea. Yum! Did I mention I've been up since 6am? That was sleeping in compared to what I expected when Maddox fell asleep for the night at 6pm completely missing dinner. Juliette has been my 6am waker most recently, but the last few days it's been 8ish! Why ever can't they be on the same schedule!?!

As I was sitting here in my early morning awake-ness I picked up my most recent Parents magazine that I had yet to read. One article in particular caught my attention "39 Things Every Mom Should Know". I thought I'd share a few that made me giggle (only because I KNOW first-hand on most of these).

3. Do your chores while kids are awake. Using up naptime to wash dishes or clean the toilet is truly soul crushing.

5. If the kids are awake, bit the bullet an be awake yourself. You'll waste so my hours trying futilely to extend early-morning snoozes that it's not worth it.

6. Just throw away the poopy underwear.

7. Don't beat yourself up if you have to use a bribe.

9. Buy cheap shoes when kids are little. Feet grow faster than you think. (Emily here: except in the case of Maddox's summer Keens...best $26 I spent! Great shoes and I can resell them on Ebay for what I paid for them :-)

15. Answer this question: What is the worst thing that can happen if your kids sleep in their clothes? (Nothing. Happened 3 times this week)

17. Try to like what they like. It kind of sucks when it's Bob the Builder, but the payoff will come when they discover Lemony Snicket.

19. If your child falls asleep occasionally without brushing his teeth, don't wake him; baby teth do eventually fall out. (Again, I know this first hand...happened 3 times this week)

26. Don't administer a punishment that hurts you more than it does them.

32. Buy quaint wooden toys and hand-knit stuffed animals, but don't expect your kids to play with them.

34. Teach them to like cool music. Why suffer through The Wiggles?

36. Give awards for actual achievements.

39. Independence is a wonderful thing. For everyone. So is together time. Make sure you have a healthy does of both.

by Kacy Faulconer

Hat Giveaway!

I just opened my first Etsy store, MJ Hat Shop, and as a GRAND OPENING I'm giving away one of my handmade crochet hats to a lucky winner! These are original hats that I created the patterns for and they have been child-tested on my own two wonderful kids.

I am a stay-at-home mom and I love spending time with my kids everyday! In the evening when the kids are in bed I love to crochet. I decided to open an Etsy store as a creative outlet.


Make sure you check my shop often as I'm adding new styles of hats all the time!

Details:

-Go visit my Etsy shop and in the comments section of this post tell me which one is your favorite (if you win, you can choose a different one)
-Make sure you leave your e-mail address in the comment (this is just the way I'll contact the winner, I won't put you on a mailing list)
-One entry per person, per day
-This giveaway is open until Saturday, Sept. 12 at 12 noon.
-I will use random.org to determine the winning comment.


Best of luck to you!

So I Have This Sister...

We're not actually blood related, but I think I've known her for about 10 years and she's been apart of my family for over 7. She's a very influential person in my life. She e-mails me with cute pictures and before you know it, she's talked me into making things for her...

Like these owls:

And this squirrel:

And this flag garland:

And, I've even made her one of these (not these colors, Shel):


I'm a self-taught crocheter and knitter. It's amazing what you can find on Youtube. Shelley challenges a special piece of my brain. The part that needs follow patterns and count my stitches(like the owls and squirrels) and to entirely make up my own patterns (in the case of the garland and apple cozy).

One thing I've learned is that I have to write down the patterns that I am making up as I go along or else when I sit down again to work, I've completely forgotten what I was doing. I always think I'll remember, but I don't.