Full Party Planning Mode

Well we're in full party planning mode for Cayden's 3rd birthday which is just over two weeks away.  It's amazing the difference in his excitement from last year to this year.  We were trying to think of the "theme" for his big day without a lot of luck.  I tend to like to stay away from the completely commercial themes, especially since Cayden isn't a child who is really "into" characters etc. at this point.  We asked him what he would like and received a simple answer: fire trucks.  Cayden is really interested in all things fire trucks and the like.  This was a perfect theme for his party. 

His party will start off with a tour of the local fire hall, checking out the trucks, talking to firefighters and hearing about what they do.  Then the troop will return to our house for the "fire alarm party" complete with fire hats for all of the children.  We'll have our tent play fire truck out and all the toy fire trucks we can find available.  I'm still working on favour ideas.  They will be getting the fire hats, but I need other ideas.  I had wanted to place an order online for some great related products, but the shipping cost was just too much to justify it.  So if you have any ideas, please let me know.

I will also be attempting to make a fire truck cake for my little man.  I'm excited to try it out and hoping that it will actually resemble a fire truck!  If it turns out okay, I will post pictures!

I have to say, I'm quite excited about this party and just can't wait to see Cayden enjoying his special day!  All this hard work will pay off to see the smile on his face and him having fun with his family and friends.

Laundry Duties

This weekend I had a challenge to face....

Now of course I always have laundry to do on the weekend, but nothing like this.  Cayden had been sick since last weekend and for most of the week, so my focus was on taking care of him, doing the sheets and clothes that he got sick on....all the rest waited for me. 

I did manage to get it all done (just one basket left to fold).  I find laundry to be one of those frustrating tasks that are never really "complete".  As I was doing the piles of laundry this weekend I thought about other options for washing and drying.  I've heard a lot of talk lately about The Laundry Tarts and Nellie's Laundry Nuggets - both natural detergents.  Have you tried them out?  Please tell me what you think of them.  I have a HE machine, so need to make sure I use something that will work in it.  I've also heard of Nellie's dryer balls and am curious as to how they work.

On another note, anyone else get carseat wounds?!  My arm is all blotchy from carrying the infant carseat on my forearm while managing my toddler, the grocery bags, the car door....  It hurts!

Family Time and a New Discovery

Today we had a really nice dinner at my mother in law's house for her birthday.  It's so nice to spend time with family, and to see my children being loved.  Cayden had a lot of fun amusing all of us and getting everyone to play with him.  He had the Lego out and was very focused on building a plane, a spaceship and a base for the spaceship.  Cole was very smiley and vocal.  He loved looking around and watching what was going on.  As a mom, I enjoyed sitting back and watching my boys spend quality time with their famliy. 

My mother in law got a Kobo as a gift and I had to check it out.  Of course I've heard of the E-reader's before, the Kindle, the Nook, but I've never actually paid much attention.  I was skeptical of getting the effect of reading a book on this little machine.  I love reading, but being accustomed to the feel of the paper in my hands, I just wasn't sure.  Well this Kobo seemed really neat.  The text looked nice to read, it felt comfy in my hands....I think I need to look into this a little more!  Does anyone have one?  If so, which one, and what do you think of it?

In addition to thinking about the e-reader, has anyone read any good books lately?  I plan to take the boys to the library this week and I need to pick up something new for myself.  Children's book recommendations are also welcome - lately we've been reading a lot of Little Critter books, Robert Munsch, and anything that talks about fire trucks.

It's a Rainy, Rainy Day....

We woke up to the sound of rain falling on the roof and cars splashing in the streets.  Checked the weather forecast - rain all day.  We decided to spend the day inside playing, relaxing and doing laundry. 

As Cayden looked out the window at the falling rain, I was reminded of a song and started singing.  Cayden joined in with me, singing the Milkshake song "Rainy Day".  We decided that a fun way to spend some time would be to put on the Milkshake Screen Play dvd. 

Milkshake is a kids rock band.  I had never heard of them until I was over at Hanging Off The Wire and read a review she did on Milkshake.  I thought the band sounded appealing and I have been trying to find fun music for Cayden to have on and get some energy out to.  I entered the giveaway being offered and happened to win the Milkshake Screen Play and a CD.

We had been out at a playdate most of the day when we returned home to see some special packages in the mail.  Cayden loves getting mail so helped me open the packages and he was excited to see something for him.  Of course we had to put the Screen Play on immediately to see what it was all about! Cayden loved the music right away.  There were a variety of uplifting songs, some softer lullaby's, and positive words from the band members.  Cayden wanted to watch it over and over....so Momma had to draw the line!

As a mom, I also enjoyed the Milkshake Screen Play.  I found the music enjoyable - it wasn't like some children's music that you just can't wait to turn off (or consider "accidentally misplacing").  The songs were also very catchy and we continued enjoying them even after watching the DVD.  We had gone for a nice spring walk and found ourselves singing "Bluebird" as we took in the spring sights.

So it's no wonder when we woke up and looked out the window this morning, the soft sweet music came into our minds reminding us, "It's a rainy, rainy day.  But that's okay, we're going to have fun, anyway."

To find our more about Milkshake, check out their website at: http://www.milkshakemusic.com/

All opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I was not requested to review Milkshake, I did so on my own account.

What I do in My "Down Time"

Sometimes I feel like I spend way too much time on the computer.  The thing is, it's my escape time, my way of interacting with others beyond the walls of my house without actually leaving it.  There's just so much to explore in this virtual world: online friends to catch up with, daily deal sites to check out, other blogs to read, recipes to search for, lists of local events and things to do....  I really could spend far more time than I really do on this fancy little machine!

Today I paid attention to my time on the computer and realized it's not that much afterall.  I go on check my email, then hear "Mom, can you get my crayons down?".  I go get my almost 3 year old son set up to do some colouring: get the crayons, paper, stickers, colour with him for a little bit and then I hear the fussing - 10 week old Cole has woken from his comfy slumber and would like to eat - NOW!  So I tend to the baby, nurse him, change him, chat with him, then settle him back down for his next round of sleep.  I then realize that I never did finish sending that email I started.  I sit back down in front of the screen, check in on Facebook to see what's new, who has added pictures, what the daily deals are....and it isn't long before I hear, "Mom, can I have a snack?"  I look at the clock - what?  How did that happen?  It's lunch time already! 

So as the day goes on and I go between my two wonderful boys, the household duties and my online world, it's clear that I'm not wasting away as much time as I had originally thought on the computer - but I do like to take my "down time" and catch up in my online world.