Fabric Diaper Case

I am probably not the most organized person... well, probably more like I can't even keep the word organized in order. Because of this fault I find myself a sucker for organizers, holders, pouches, and such.

Ever since I have seen those super cute diaper & wipe cases, I have been in love... no...wait... in LUST! But I just can't get myself to spend $12 on something that will hold diapers. I like to organize, but I am still cheap. So instead, I decided to make one.

Measure and cut out two squares from paper, one measureing 10 x 7.5 and the other 14 x 7.5. The smaller square will be the pattern for the front of the case and the 14 x 7.5 will be the back/tab. After this you can cut from the fabric now. Cut 2 pieces of fabric with the 10 x 7.5 square, one outter layer and one inner layer. Also cut 2 pieces of fabric with the 14 x 7.5 square, one inner and one outter.

Take your two pieces of 10 x 7.5 squares and place them face side up together. Sew the pieces together, but leave a small opening on one side (near the bottom) so you can turn the piece right side out again.

For the 14 x 7.5 squares, pin them face side up together. Take a dinner plate to use the round edge to trace a nice round smooth end. Now go ahead and sew the pieces together and on the round end you traced.... again, make sure to keep a little bit unsewn (near the bottom) so you can turn it right side out.

Now that you have both pieces sewn and turned correctly out, take the two pieces and place them again right side up together and sew the pieces. Once down, turn correct side out. Go ahead and sew your button on.

Impressed? Now you have one prettty hip AND cheap diaper and wipe case. I have posted pictures, but they aren't showing exactly what I said to do because I made these instructions up as I went. So I figured out what worked and what didn't. So, follow the instructions and take the pictures as loosly based guidelines :)

Blind Bell

FAMILY MOMENT MONDAY
It's always fun to play games; board games, physical games.... mind... games? Well, maybe not so much mind games, but I did grow up loving kick-the-can, hide-n-go seek, capture the flag... and so much more.

One game that is a fun little one to play is Blind Bell. In Blind Bell all players, but one, are blindfolded and told to scatter. The one player who isn't blindfolded is given a bell to wear around their neck, with having this bell around the neck it is bound to make noise with most steps that player takes. The blindfolded players goal is to try and catch the bell wearing player, all while the bell wearer is constantly trying to stay out of their way and free. The player who catches the bell wearer wins.

This game is great for indoor and outdoors, which makes it fun all seasons round.

Please remember to add your link only if you are participating in Family Moment Monday. Family Moment Monday consists of people who are sharing crafts, activities, lessons, ideas, service projects or anything else that you can learn/do/enjoy as a family in your post. Please remember to link back to Motherhood For Dummies, so others can learn about F.M.M. and participate too.

Breast Milk Ice Cream

Who doesn't love Ben & Jerry's ice cream? It always tastes amazing, has those cute funny little names, and made with all natural ingredients like soy, sugar, egg yolks, coconut oil, and breast milk. WHAT?! Breast milk!?!? Well, not yet, but that is what PETA is suggesting.

Apparently PETA (People for the Ethical Treating of Animals) sent a letter over to the company and founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield this week telling them cow's milk is hazardous and that milking cows is cruel. PETA is asking the ice cream company to begin using breast milk in its ingredient instead of cow's milk; claiming that it would reduce the suffering of cows and calves and give ice cream lovers a healthier product.

Okay, now for all of you right now reading this with your eyes the sizes of dinner plates, mouth open in shock... simply take deep breaths, think of a happy place, and have no worries, because Ben & Jerry are in no hurry to make this kind of moooooove. Apparently, they don't like the idea of breast milk on tap. So, have no fear, Chunky Monkey will stay breast milk free (wow, I never thought I would say that)... cause honestly, who wants to read on the ingredient label: Sugar, egg yolks, creme, and Helen Smith from Omaha, Nebraska. That just doesn't sound tasty.
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I have to admit something here though, what is PETA thinking! Seriously! I mean, don't get me wrong... I think it is great to keep animals safe, but honestly PETA... don't you think you have gone too far, especially saying that, "milking cows is cruel"? I wonder how many of them have seen how irritated/painful a cow gets when it hasn't gotten milked. I don't know about you all, but I breast fed and I know how I felt when I didn't nurse.... it was not pleasant and stained a lot of bras.

This whole thing just makes me wonder how far some people go or loose their way. I am all for people making sure animals a treated right. I am an animal lover and don't understand how some people could purposely hurt such sweet things, but this thing is a joke. If PETA doesn't wants us to eat cows and doesn't want us to drink from cows, then what do they want us to do with them? If they don't have a purpose, why would we need so many? Honestly... if cows don't have a need, they would loose their numbers and could really go extinct and that would not cause a problem, cause seriously, they aren't really much good for anything else. In fact, the environmentalists could then argue that cows serve no purpose and say they give off too much methane with all their fartin' and need to go because they are destroying the o-zone layer (wait, do we still care about the o-zone layer?). Then next thing you know Hollywood stars are THEN going to be popping up everywhere saying "Screw the whales, save the cows!".

So, how far it too far? Has PETA crossed a very disgusting line, or opened a new door for animal safety, or proven that they won't be happy till we stop eating animals and embrace cannibalism? But all joking aside, I think it is good that PETA looks out for animals, tries to keep laws about meat production companies, and cruelty. I can understand why some people aren't comfortable with hunting, are vegetarians, or have 20 cats, but I don't get how someone could honestly suggest that I start feeding my family breast milk ice cream. I mean, I know that men are all fans of the boobies, but I don't think they had something like THAT in mind.

Tell me what you think. Do you like the idea of giving cows the pink slip and start pumping the mommies?

Lucy Goosey

This blog first started off as a way for our family to keep in touch with friends and family, but soon I found myself going more into the mommy blogging world than into family journal. I have had several friends and family members ask for more pictures of Lucy. So, here are some of my top favorite photos of her.

This is such a typical shot of Lucy. Such a happy smile, bright, sitting so calmly playing with her toys. Such a good little girl for her mommy :)

This was our crappy attempt of trying to take a professional looking photo of her.

She loved to sit in the kitchen with me while I cooked. Playing with all the utensiles... she wont any more.. she is too into everything.

I love watching her sleep... what mom doesn't?

I love this photo of Lucy reading, she just looks so grown up.

Lucy joining daddy while he plays video games. She loooves the controllers.

I just love that happy smile of hers. It is almost always that bright :)

Honestly.... how cute is that!?!?

Chillin' in the saucer.

The only sunglasses that she will let us place on her. She looks like she is getting ready to lay out and tan.

We have been trying to ween her off her passie and since she has been going without, she has been looking for other options. Apparently the heads of Fisher Price characters works well.

I love that smile!

Her musical singing mirror. She will dance to the music and then give herself kisses in the mirror.... their are slobber marks every where!

Lucy's first day at some kind of play group, over at a gymnasium.

She could play with her car seat all day long. She loves the straps and rocking it back and forth.

So, there you all go. This is espically for you mom and dad :)

The Goose Girl

WFMW

I have been bitten by the reading bug. Ever since I picked up Twilight a couple months ago I haven't been able to keep myself away from books. I have been just loving it too. I use to read all the time, always trying something new; but unfortunately I haven't picked up a book (except for Harry Potter) in a while. During this new reading phase I have been going through, I have discovered a delightfully sweet book by Shannon Hale called, "The Goose Girl", which is a retelling of a Grimm's Brother story.

"The Goose Girl" is a wonderful fairytale about a princess named Ari and her story of betrayal, strength, and resilience. With her mother sending her off to a far away land to marry in a strange place. Unfortunately she is betrayed by those closest to her and has to escape with her own life. With trying to figure out a plan as to how to get home, find her soon-to-be husband, and unmasking the traitors, she stumbles across friends, lessons, and talents that she never knew she had.

This is a fun sweet read that had a plot that kept me always wanting to know more about Princess Ari and her world. With pages filled with their history, tradition, and mystical legends I was constantly smiling and having my mind filled with beautiful painted images. After reading "The Goose Girl" I am really excited to read more by Shannon Hale: Book of a Thousand Days, Rapunzel's Revenge, Enna Burning, Princess Academy, and River Secrets.

You can find "The Goose Girl" for around $4 on amazon.com.

Halloween Ideas

With Halloween coming up and we uber excited, because this will be Lucy's first Halloween. I just can't wait to see her all dressed up and hopefully walking to the door! HOW FUN!!??!! Anywaaaaays... back to the post :)... with Halloween coming up I have been looking up some fun crafts and with the request of other bloggers out there, I found a couple no sewing Halloween costume ideas.

Halloween Crackers
I have always thought these looked so fun. Plus, you can totally use these instructions for birthday parties, Christmas, or any other gathering.

Hula Girl Costume

Garden Girl Costume

Flower Girl Costume

Date Night

FAMILY MOMENT MONDAY
There is a center for everything. Everything has a center, a focus, a stabilizing character you might say; for a family, that would the parents.

Us as parents are the very center and stabilizing characteristic for the family. Children ask us for permission, come to us for help, depend on us being there and much much more. We, as moms and dads, need to be a constant stable factor in their always changing world. Where, to them, their life is ruined if pretty Jennifer Stevensen gave them the stink eye in class and and said her shoes aren't from the real Miley Cyrus collection. Harsh... I know.

When children's lives can so easily be shaken with silly things it is necessary that the REAL things are stable. That is why constantly reconnecting with our spouses is such an importance. In today's world, school, dance classes, soccer tournaments, bake sales, and PTA meetings are slowly taking over our lives, it is easy to over look the person that we should be making the most time for.

I believe date nights are a huge part in successful families and marriage. Showing each other and the children that your marriage is important and that family time is worth making time for. Not only is it great for the children to see how committed we are to our own relationship, but it is great to get some time with each other. How easily the stresses of the day melt away when the two of us are eating and laughing over dinner. No matter how bad a movie may be, it is never a waste if I get to snuggle up with my husband during it. I also find that I am a better mother when I have had time to enjoy with Curtis; it helps me to remind myself that we are a team, connected, together.

So, in this world of Blackberries, schedules, meetings, committees, and everything else.... let us try to remember the orgin of the family.... the parents. Making sure to put an effort into spending time with the most important part, each other.

Please remember to add your link only if you are participating in Family Moment Monday. Family Moment Monday consists of people who are sharing crafts, activities, lessons, ideas, service projects or anything else that you can learn/do/enjoy as a family in your post. Please remember to link back to Motherhood For Dummies, so others can learn about F.M.M. and participate too.

Slow Cooker Recipes

When it comes to the kitchen, what can I say? I'm kind of lazy :) I find that the harder I work on a dish the less it will taste good to me. By the time it is done I am so sick of working that I just want the whole things to be over and done with. This would also explain why I love my crock pot so much! So, I was really excited when I stumbled upon this....
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23 Best Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
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They have 23 yummy and diverse looking recipes that I am more than excited to try. Especially for the fact that they have chicken in them. I am always looking for great recipes that cooks chicken well. I don't know why, but I have a hard time making good chicken; chicken is my kryptonite!



So go check it out, if you are looking for some great slow cooker recipes.

Pomme Bebe

Leave it to southern California to have a restaurant for babies.... yep... you heard me. A RESTAURANT FOR BABIES. Pomme BeBe apparently is for the real guilt stricken mothers who feel like caring, feeding, playing, protecting, and loving their babies is just NOT enough.

This all organic, completely "green" kitchen styled restaurant is for the chic-est of babies. When Gerber's mashed carrots are no longer up to par for your babies taste buds, moms can now take them into Pomme BeBe so they can have that mashed dribble washed away with their Chicken Pot Pie or Apricot-Kiwi-Pear puree. You know what? I made Kiwi-Pear-Apricot puree once... I took Kiwi, Pear, Apricot... and well... mixed them together :)

And if the stainless steel chairs, organic food, and the art deco setting is not enough to tempt you or make you gag, Pomme BeBe even has an award winning chef that has over 22 years of experience. I don't know about you, but I don't even think I have eaten from a chef with that much experience. Once I have tasted something with that kind of skills behind it, then I'll let Lucy have some. And is it just a tad sad that someone with culinary awards and mastered years of experience is now serving up the silver.... no PLATINUM-spooned children of Southern California? He should be at least working at Taco Bell... or should I say... Taco Belle. .

So, let me ask you all... honestly, would any of you go to Pomme BeBe?

Drug Testing

I usually participate in Thursday Thirteen, but since our power went out tonight and I was stuck reading by candle light... I figured I will just share something... funny. This video always cracks me up, thanks Michelle for showing it to me.

Should I Be Doing This?

"Excuse me! Do you mind?"

Nintendo Cake

In our family we have the tradition of making shape cakes for people's birthdays. So when my husband's birthday was approaching I got all excited to ask him what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. His face got all excited and then serious as he thought about what he wanted. He then blurted out, "I want a Mario cake!". I stood there waiting for more of an explanation. Then he says, "I want some kind of Nintendo Mario brothers cake.... like... Luigi... or Mario... ohoh! I know... I want one of the mushrooms from Mario. You know the ones that make you big or give you an extra life." For any of you who don't know what he is talking about... Mario Brothers is an old school video game when Nintendo first came out... my husband STILL likes to play it. :)

Well, I was excited. My first challenging shape cake. I had no idea where to start, so I basically just decided to jump in. But I have to admit that I was pretty darn happy with how it turned out. So, here is how you can make a Mario Brothers cake, but you can really use these ideas to make whatever shape cake you would like.

First I figured out what shape pan I should be using to give me the best area to work with. I decided to use two circle pans for the bubble mushroom top and a 9x13 pan for the stump (I did a double layered cake, which is why I used so much. If you are doing a single layer 2 circle pans or one 9x13 pan will be fine). While they were baking I took a piece of computer paper and started to sketch out the image of the Mario mushroom, trying to keep it to the size that would fit on the cake.

When the cake is done and cooled, take your image and see if it will fit well on it. Don't worry if the image is too big or too small, simply sketch over it and re-size it. Cut the image out when you have the new correct size and lay it on the cake. With the image on the cake, take a knife and cut around the image.

Once you have all the pieces cut out, go ahead and place them in the freezer to get them a bit frozen. Getting them frozen will make it easier to frost them with out ripping the cake up and getting crumbs in the icing. Once they are a little frozen, put a nice thin layer of frosting around them and place them back in the freezer. When that frosting is frozen a little, finish frosting them completely. Now you can finish decorating the cake.

The mushrooms come in mainly solid red and medium green, but also blue in the newer games. Remember to leave the spots on the mushroom white and color the rest of the top in with the color you chose. I made the mistake of messing that up. I accidentally colored the spots and left the top white. So, hopefully I won't make that mistake again.

So, if you have a child into video games this might be a fun idea for a birthday cake. What I also wanted to do was make really cute matching cupcakes. How cute would THAT have been!? But if you aren't wanting a Mario cake then this idea really is usable for many other shape cakes... sooooo HAPPY BAKING!