Unfortunately (or fortunately)  I have only seen a handful of Simpsons in like the 20 years?? they have been on the air. Yet I managed to catch the brilliance that is Homer Simpson in educating his children:

 

“Why go outside and play when you can be inside watching TV”??

 

On this lazy Memorial Day weekend, it was beginning to get too hot to go out during certain times of the day, so I felt like cozying up with my kids. But they were coloring and riding their bikes! hmm..what to do.. Well kids have this extra sensory hearing… so I took out the present from my parents that I had stashed away and slowly started to peel away at the plastic wrapping. My kids heard the peeling of paper and ran from doors away to find out what their mother was opening. Yes Homer and I have something in common - I am officially guilty of taking my kids away from nature to fill their innocent minds with destruction and smut that is Hollywood today.  But what FUN it was!!!

I am talking about Cars - The Movie by Disney/Pixar.

 

 I think I was more enthralled than my children.  The unbelievable talent.. the music, the animation, the jokes, the everything! It was just so good! A sign of a good movie is when you leave the theater (computer screen) and are compelled to talk about it.  The kids had other things on their minds  - like what else can we get her to let us watch -   so I am blogging about it.

 

Isnt it neat how they make animated film to entertain both children and adults? They find the subtle humor to drop between the lines for their adult crowd, without losing the babies rapt ADD I need constant entertainment attention.

 

Ok, there now I feel better .  If you want to find it 2nd hand to add to your collection - here is the current offering available at Ebay…

 

Ka-chow!

 

~~~Andrea

 

May 20th - My neices birthday.

Again the search (oh yes, always belated!) is on to find SOMETHING, ANYTHING that her doting parents, and extremely doting grandparents have not already bought her..

Did you ever notice that when it comes to people who HAVE, you are pressured to get them something NICE, but those who have NOT.. anything will do?? Just one of the unfair ways life work…

Back to my search…

GOOD NEWS!! The Web is CRAWLING with tons of sites sporting URBAN CHIC, UNIQUE, HARD TO FIND, baby and toddler couture.

I find one that intrigues me!

 With a location in the East Villiage, PinkOliveBoutique is written up as “shopping at pink olive will be like having grace (the owner) as your own personal shopper – you will want to make off with all her stuff!  rounding out the mix are vintage accessories, handpicked by grace to complement the shop’s current selections.”

Surfing around here, I think I have hit the jackpot! My sis in law is all into education and I can assure you my neice does NOT have these stamps, alphabet cards, or princess booties!!

Check out PinkOliveBoutique…

oh.. and Happy Birthday Ayla!

 

~~~ Andrea

 

Hey Gals.. Its another beautiful MAY DAY. The Sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and my baby is getting SO darn cute.

                    

One of the few moments of pleasure after giving birth - besides the most obvious of getting to meet your baby! - happens when those company reps visit you with lots of little gift samples. I received diapers, pacifiers, formula, a crib toy.. Hey, anyone who acknowledges what I just went through with gifts is WELCOME..

 

Remembering that… We’re going FREE TODAY!

 

At Babytobee - The fine print - tons of FREE Gifts, Offers, coupons, magazines, and samples for THE BABY!

 

  Always a FAVORITE!! Coupons. Ladies.. it adds up!

 

  Get clothes, toys or accessories for your child with a FREE $500 gift card. Pick Babies-R-Us, Disney Store, or The Children’s Place. It’s your choice. Pick a free $500 gift card now! Fine Print - says participation required - not sure what that means .

 

You can always mosy on over to our Free Stuff section of this site.

 

This was fun, so I will definitely do this again. Consider this Part I of an ongoing series of FREE Items.

 

~~ Andrea & AJ

Ah the Beauty of Consumerism…

 

There is really no boundaries to what someone will offer… if they think you will buy!

 

You can buy furniture at a pet store, and a pet at a furniture store ?? You can even buy sharp metal objects at the airport that Security will not allow through (another story for another time).

 

So why should I be surprised that when checking out the aforementioned 1 800 FLowers for a Mothers Day gift (although I had no business placing an order only yesterday ), I came across the following Cute ADORABLE, and mostly Cuddly Items for Me and my Baby..!

 

 This is a baby caterpillar. The plushness leaps out at you, doesnt it??

 

This baby (#4) has been all about organizing my place, so this hamper set up seems awesome!

 

 

These are definitely intended to become your babies NEW BEST FRIEND!  

 

 

Last… my personal FAVE - the Burt Bee’s Sampler. In fact some people still owe me a gift. Perhaps I should send them this way. To use my baby as an excuse to test out all the great products is really too good to be true.  

 

So next time you need a gift, think outside the box and try 1-800-FLOWERS.COM !!

 

~~ Andrea and AJ

 

Everyone knows it stinks to have 2 days where you are spoiled so close together. Inevitably you will get ripped off!

 

But enough about Me.

 

Now lets talk about what you can buy ME

 

or YOUR Mother, or Mother in Law, daughter, stepwhatever, grandmother, sister in law, sister, etc…Unless your budget can include Gucci, Prada, or Chanel., you would be surprised how well the timeless classic of FLOWERS would suffice.

 

Check it out -              

 

Send flowers from $24.99 at 1-800-Flowers.com! 

~ Andrea

 

If you are anything like me, and from the generation when Sun Worship was THE favorite pastime,  sometime Mid August you wake up and realize you aren’t 16 anymore  and say .. ‘I REALLY must start putting Sunscreen on’!

 

With baby skinned children comes the HUGE responsibility of taking care of their skin protection. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and Global Warming is doing its’ share of damage.  I dont want to scare you, so lets get to the point.  It is especially now, when you dont feel the sun as hot as the summer months, that children spend more time outside, and need to be protected:

  

Mustela Very High Sun Protection Lotion SPF50

 For the face and body of babies and children. Essential during very first exposure to the sun. 100% mineral filter, fragrance-free, water-resistant.Rich, water-resistant cream ensures double protection: on the surface and at the cellular level: Ensures optimal surface protection from the sun with an extra-broad spectrum (IR /long and short UVA/UVB rays) with mineral filters and their reflective power (titanium dioxide-iron and zinc oxide).Helps protect the skin at a cellular level: A unique combination of zinc salts and natural plant active ingredients (Aloe vera and Soy phytosterols containing Vitamin E) provides protection: - of the natural defenses of the skin. - against free radicals, which are recognized to cause premature aging of the skin. Mustela offers a wide variety of Sunblock.

Kids Wash Their Hands. Kids Brush Their Teeth. Kids Wear Sunscreen. PERIOD

 

~~ Andrea

Parent of the last decade know these 2 facts:

1) Babies should be put to sleep on their backs.

2) Babies that sleep on their backs are unable to control their reflexes, causing them to flail their arms, waking themselves up.. and you guessed it.. waking you up.

Certainly the discovery that putting an infant to sleep on it’s back could be lifesaving has helped many mothers sleep at night, yet placing them on their backs has nullifed that!

So what is the solution? The most fantastic creation ever, my first pick of the picks, my dont leave home without, my new best friend.

The SWADDLE.

The Swaddle is a glorified blanket that is created in a way to envelop your child snugly, arms, legs and all, ala the womb, to lull them into a reflexless, spasmless, blissless sleep.

It was very hard for me to use at first. I am claustrophobic and here I was placing my baby in a straightjacket! It seemed inhumane.
GET OVER IT.

Unfortunately my son isnt as into the swaddle as some of his friends, but since I am a WAHM (work at home mom), I have the luxury of allowing him to nap on his stomach while I work right next to him.

The Swaddles are very affordably priced, considering their awesome value!
Have a good nights sleep - on me! Buy the Swaddle Me!

~ Andrea & AJ ~