Random Thoughts From The Bathtub

Tonight, I spent a good deal of time doing research on what fish oil is the best to buy.  I am about to embark on a healthy eating dtreak and since I hate fish of any kind, I am looking to supplement.

Here my thoughts for tonight”

I am going to have to give up brownies, this sucks.  Well I don’t have to give them up completely.

I need to organize my office!

I need to go to Whole Foods tomorrow.

Maybe I should sleep in. Sleep in?  What’s that?

I really want to get my garden ready, blach I am too tired

I still need to stop biting my nails!

There are thin mints in the pantry, how the hell am I going to diet with those in there?

I wish I had a maid, well and a cook, and a gardner.

Oh I have to finish a review, well I need to finish three this weekend.

Wonder what Blogher will be like.

I really need to turn my brain off when I’m trying to relax in the tub!

Cool Way To Peel A Potato

I make potato salad a lot during the summer and grew up eating it because we made it for family functions.  We always boiled the potatoes, had to let them cool and then peeled them.  I was just sent a really cool video on how to do this, and I am gonna try it the next time I make potato salad. I must be living in the dark ages to have not figured this one out sooner.   So cool!

Toddlers and Why They Don’t Listen

I had just recently put up a post about my two and the fact that they don’t like to be told NO and they are always telling me “no mommy.” I just recently came across a really interesting article on toddlers and why they don’t do what they are told. It makes a little more sense and here I am thinking that my two are going to grow up and people are going to think that my two are not well behaved.

This article is from Live Science, I am not familiar with them but the article was somewhat interesting. According to the article, toddlers hear what you are saying but they basically store the information for later use.

A test was set up to measure the pupil difference in 3 yr olds versus older kids to determine the mental effort of the child to study the cognitive abilities of 3-and-a-half-year-olds and 8-year-olds. What they found was that pupil measurements showed that 3-year-olds neither plan for the future nor live completely in the present. Instead, they call up the past as they need it.

I thought it was pretty interesting because we as adults basically have expectations of our little ones. You know they can understand what we are saying but I think they process a whole lot differently than we expect. You can read the entire article here

Simplify Your Life With Return Address Labels

As a busy mother of twins, I don’t have a whole lot of time to get the extra stuff done. Since having the boys, I have switched to a lot of things that tend to make my life easier.   Since having the boys we do a lot of mailing out to relatives who are overseas, and just family in general.  I never really had labels printed out for anything I mailed.  I had always hand written all my return addresses on my envelopes and it never dawned on me to just have some self stick ones available.  As a parent, anything that will make your life easier is worth looking into no matter how little it may seem.  There have been times where I am running to catch the mailman while still writing my address out.

Vista Print has a whole selection of return address labels to choose from and the ordering process is easy and hassle free.  Everything on the site is easy to navigate and well organized.  I can’t get over how much of a selection they have and not only did I get my address labels from them, I ordered some really great business cards, and I am o excited to get them.  I am looking forward to making my life easier.  Now I can just stick a label on my envelope and pop it in the box, and with two toddlers running around the less time I have to spend on certain tasks the better.
Vista Print offers a whole range of printing services besides address labels and the prices are extremely reasonable and I have ordered from them on several occasions. You can design business cards, print announcements, greeting cards, and you can order it all right in the comfort of your own home. I love online shopping!

Wordless Wednesday

Different Styles Tongue and All

Renewing My Driver’s License

Well today was a real adventure.  I got a notice in the mail that my driver’s license had expired (tells you how much I look at the thing) so I had to figure out how I was going to get there.

I thought about going on Saturday when the husband was home, so he could watch the boys, but the place was closed on Saturday.  So at about 10 am this morning I decided I would try and go.  For the most part during my week, we are home bodies, due to the fact, that it is such a pain to get everyone dressed, and out the door.  I wasn’t all too sure how I would handle my two, take a vision test and keep an eye on them etc, so I was very nervous about what to expect.  Call me a wuss, but honestly being a first time parent, I just get neurotic about taking the twins out by myself, especially if I need to concentrate on getting something done.

So we show up, and there are only 3 people in line, and I think to myself “this cant be too bad, sat the boys up on the benches, and notice that I don’t have enough cash.  They only take cash or check, and the cost is $24 now (holy cow!)  I had $20 on me thinking this has to be more than enough for a piece of plastic..Nope!  So we head back out the door, load up the boys in their car seats, and head to the bank.  Get back and there is no one there in line which is a relief for me because then I wouldn’t have to worry about the boys.

The lady behind the counter was a complete snarky snob.  They ask you questions like you are a criminal, and she is the warden.  Meanwhile, I am trying to read the 4th line and say where the red dot is,get the boys to sit after they knocked over the plastic poles with the plastic chains that defined where the lines should stand.

I have a beef with the viewfinder, I think they make those things blurry on purpose!  I have perfect vision but the 3’s look like 8’s and vice versa.  This woman was not nice and I was glad to get the hell out of there.  My picture, I won’t share, but it is indicative of  how flustered I was  lol.  It sits in my wallet for the most part, and who feels glamorous when you get pulled over anyway?  I accomplished my task, but I was stressed out, and the boys were actually good, the poles they knocked over were light as a feather, so I think they bumped them and it was a chain reaction.  Ahhh the adventures of motherhood.

I Received an Award!

I received a lovely surprise in my mail from Tara, a friend of mine through blogging. This lovely friends award. Thank you so much Tara this was such a huge pick me up after a long day!

So along with the award comes some rules…here they are…

Rules do accompany this honor:”These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

1. Tanya at MommyGoggles
2. Nikki at Evilflu
3. Shera at A Frog In My Soup
4. Rhea at Mommy23Monkeys
5. Trisha at Sweet n Sassy Girls
6. Suzanne at So You Dont Get Any Phone Calls From Me
7. Trisha at Momdot
8. Cat at 3 Kids and Us

Eleven Shoes Spring Has Sprung Reveiw and Giveaway!

Finally, the sun is shining and Spring is here. Along with the warmer weather comes all the fun things that I love about Spring including the new 2009 Eleven Collection of shoes. I can’t help myself when it comes to buying shoes for my little guys.

I am a sucker for shoes it seems, and every chance I get, I am usually eyeballing the shoe isle when I am out and about. Thankfully my boys are growing, so I get plenty of opportunity to get my shoe fix. Eleven Shoes has plenty of adorable shoes for the choosing and each shoe has a little character all of its own. When I was first introduced to Eleven shoes last Fall, I simply fell in love with them. Their shoes are far from the ordinary and offer a fresh and vibrant look for your special little someone.  Each shoe in their collection has a little personality all of its own and you are sure to find a style to fit your little guy or gal’s own individual style.

About Eleven Shoes
Eleven is a sister company with See Kai Run, carrying on the same tradition of flexibility and good looks, but for the older children (ages 3-8 years).

Their mission is to create wonderful shoes for little travelers who make each step an adventure. Based in the Northwest, Eleven combines quality footwear with independent style and modern accents. Made with attention and care for the journey that happens every day, their shoes don’t have a break-in period. All of their shoes feature artisan craftsmanship and city-chic style, making them perfect and functional for every occasion.

If you have young kids, and toddlers in particular, like I do, you know that shoes take a beating. Eleven shoes stand the test of time in this regard. The boys first pair of Eleven shoes lasted them until they grew out of the shoe and they still had plenty of wear in them. The thing I like most about Eleven shoes, is the fact that they are light weight and not clunky. They bend and flex with your child’s feet and since little kids are constantly on the move, a shoe that goes with them is essential. They go on comfortable and the boys ask to wear their new shoes all the time.

Eleven Shoes Feature
Comfortable Fit:
Flexible soles designed for growing, active kids
Premium, soft leather ensures comfort and breathability
Cushioned insole makes each step a comfortable one
Easy on and off, with padded collars for a sensational, secure fit
Premium Construction:
All premium materials and construction
All leather uppers
Durable and sturdy soles with superior traction
Independent Style:
Vibrant and bold colors

I love them because they are easy to get on, there is nothing worse than a shoe that is difficult to get on when you have squirmy toddlers.  They are cool and fashionable, they don’t have to be broken in and they outlast the rigorous play of young children. With all these wonderful features in such a little package, you can’t go wrong with Eleven shoes.  We chose the Aubin which is such a classy little shoe but there are so many others that I would choose.    I love everything about them and the boys run and dance and play in them and never complain about them bothering their feet.  You simply must get a pair of Eleven shoes for your little one.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

DoubleBugs and Eleven shoes would like to give DoubleBugs readers the chance to win a pair of these fab shoes for your little guy or gal!

So here’s what ya gotta do!

• Visit elevencollection.com and come back here and leave me a comment telling me what style of shoe you like best.
• Please leave me an email so I can contact you if you win

• Winners are chosen at random via Random.org.
• If Winner Does Not Respond Within 2 Days the prize is forfeited and donated!

For Additional Entries (please leave as an additional comment):

• Tweet about this post
• Follow me on Twitter
• Blog about my contest and give me the link!
• Put my badge on your sidebar

Contest Starts Monday March 23, 2009 and Ends Monday April 13, 2009

Good Luck!!!!

Small Talk Six Things I Love or Hate About Spring

Small Talk Six

Six Things I Love or Hate About Spring

1. I Love The warmer weather and the fact that I don’t have to stuff my boys into 15 layers and coats!
2. I Love the green grass and all the beautiful flowers
3. I Hate Bugs.  Yeah and if you want some amusement read this
4. I Love all the new Spring clothes
5. I Hate that my babies are getting close to being another year older *pout*
6. I Love the sunshine, after a long winter stuffed indoors, it is so nice to feel sunshine on my face again

Toddlers and NO

Yep it’s just been one of those days!  I have twins yep, I know you knew that, but I hear everything resonating in my ear times two.  There are some days where I feel like I am the kid in the house.  I find myself discussing things with my two year olds, and feel just like stomping around the house and telling everyone NO!

We are at that ever so wonderful stage of toddlerhood where my two boys are asserting their independence.  Every other word is accompanied by the word no in this house and “no mommy me do it allllll by myself” and I think I am about to lose my mind.  I know that this is just a test and a battle of wills, and sometimes I feel like I am failing miserably.  Everyone, assures me that it is just a phase, and the promise of it will get better bellowing from the mouths of people can sometimes sound like nails on a chalkboard.

There are days I tell you, I feel like a complete idiot trying to carry on a conversation with not one but two, two year olds.  Today I sounded like an auctioneer, repeating myself…no no no, come here, come here, would you stop please.  I am sure I look a bit comical, chasing my naked son who decided to take off his diaper and RUN!  Here I am running circles around the couch and praying like heck he doesn’t pee all over the carpet.  Needless to say I am exhausted.

So how do I get them to cooperate?

I have found that instead of saying “No” all the time, I offer them a choice.  Something about being negative all the time seems to make them retaliate.  Granted there are some things that are just plain no.  Giving them a choice sort of empowers them a little and makes them feel like they are part of the decision.  “No you may not have candy but you can have this instead”, almost never works because they are already set on the candy.  So instead I offer them two things they CAN have, and say “Do you want a banana or some grapes” and it seems to work about 99% of the time.

They are starting to understand more, so at meal times things have gotten easier.  I tell them if they want their dessert or treat that they must eat what they are going to eat.  This seems to motivate them just to eat well.  I do not force them to clean their plate but expect them to eat reasonably so they aren’t filling their stomachs with treats.

Time Outs:  We are still tweaking with these to see if they actually work.  For one of the boys just time out anywhere in the house works.  For my other one he has to be separated from everyone, and this is very upsetting for him but it seems to actually work. Me on the other hand, am emotional about a lot of it and sort of feel like I am not doing the right thing, so it is tough.  As a parent you want your children to grow up being respectful individuals.  I am always worrying if I am being a good mom, I think we are our worst critics.  And why is it that everyone tells me how good they are, yet I am still pulling out my hair?

I am sure it is all just a phase and this aspect will get better, but there is another phase around the bend I am sure.  I hope my mommy armor is tough enough to withstand!

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