I Love TCP!!!

Believe it or not, Aiden needed a few short sleeve tops in 6-12 months. (That's the size he's in now.) He's grown faster than I expected so we're busing into the clothes I thought he wouldn't be wearing until winter. He only has about 5 short sleeve shirts and since it's 95 outside and Aiden drools like a maniac, we go through them quickly!

The Children's Place is having a sale - like always - and I was able to snag some really cute tees for $4 and $5 each! I also picked up some camo shorts for $5.59 and a pirate sword for his dress up collection that I couldn't resist for $5.50. (I'm really in to dress ups for boys and girls, although I think boy dress up stuff is MUCH more fun!!)


Cool Link: www.Trumpette.com
I'm hesitant to give this link away because it's been an Ace up my sleeve that I haven't used. This site sells fairly pricey - but extremely cute - baby socks that look like shoes! Aiden has a pair of the red high-top looking ones and they really are adorable on. If you need to buy a baby gift for someone who has EVERYTHING, check out the girl's "Pixies" or Ballerina socks. Both are precious and sure to be a hit.

Scrap For Charity

I stumbled across a really great website that sells one very large and very special digital scrapbooking kit every month and donates 100% of the profits to charity. The kits are amazing - honestly the best money can buy - and at $8, they're a steal for what all you get. Check them out and if you see something you love, BUY IT! Once the month is over, you can never get it again!

Cool Link: www.SongbirdAvenue.com
Digital Scrapbooking Charity site!

Holiday Fever

I have to admit that after one stroll through Hobby Lobby I have been bitten with the holiday bug and it's only September! Brian really hates decorating for the holidays - he thinks it's clutter that has to be put up, taken down and stored for a whole other year - but I adore the look of a festive house. One of these days I'm going to go all out and he won't be able to do anything about it!

I have been wrestling with the idea of skipping the Christmas lights. I know I'll regret it when everyone else has theirs up but the thought of hearing Brian complain for two Saturdays as they go up and then come down is daunting. I don't know why I married such a scrooge but I am dreaming of the day that Brian, eyes gleaming with excitement, will want to tripple the electric bill and drape the house and yard in lights. A girl can dream right? For now I have to figure out what I want to do inside the house. I have already decided that the entryway MUST be festive, even if nothing else is decorated. We don't have a large christmas tree of our own, we had one of my parent's faux trees, but the first and last time we set it up was Christmas of 2002...and the dog broke about a half-dozen ornaments just brushing it as he walked past. Now that Aiden is here, I am thinking some sort of tree will be necessary but I am toying with the idea of skipping the actual tree in favor of one of the more "modern" approaches. You'll have to wait and see what I mean in December....

For now, I'm dreaming of huge bowls of candy, flickering Jack-O-Lanterns and all the trimmings for the only holiday we're going to be in town for! Will anyone laugh at me if I put decorations out October 1??


Cool Link: www.MuseumTour.com
I found this site in my Cookie magazine and it has some really great toys! Yes, they're the "educational" sort, but they are the kind of educational toys I prefer because there is more than one way to play with them. (Eat your heart out Leap Frog!) Send the grandparents here for some brain-building, creativity-boosting gift ideas!

Way Too Hot!

It's entirely too steamy this time of year. I LOOOOOVE the fall but really, September is just as bad as August. By the way, the average first day of a cold front hitting is September 21. Last year the first one hit Sept 19 and it was 75 during the day and 60 at night for a few days. (I keep track of these things!) I already have dibs on an outdoor photo shoot with Kelsey the first weekend it cools off. I am just DYING for some shots of Aiden outdoors in natural light! But I'm not willing to risk heat stroke trying to take them now....

I can't get a grip on how fast the year is coming to a close. I had Aiden in March, only the 3rd month into the year, and now we're 3.5 months from the end of it. I simply cannot believe how time flies when you have a baby! Worse, my schedule is filling up so quickly. I just bought a 2008 planner today because my I know my parents will soon be asking what we are doing for new year's. (They always do that. Any year they don't see us at Christmas they nearly have a panic attack and insist on seeing us for New Years. I'm so glad all us kids are married this christmas. Now we can force my folks to grow up!)


Cool Link: www.Woot.com
Everyday one item is at an awesome deal. And it's always something completely random.

For your outdoorsy guy: www.SteepandCheap.com
Same idea as Woot but it's always camping & outdoor gear. Brian LOVES this site!

It Doesn't Bother Me!!!

I love working in Photoshop. I love doing invites, birth announcements, cards and digital scrapbooking. On most days I enjoy playing in the bead room. But for my friends, no matter what the activity, I always enjoy helping. (Yes, even with earrings Kelsey!) What good is a talent if you don't share it? Sure, maybe I could make a fortune off my photoshop skills, but it's more fun to "donate" my time and create for my friends the gorgeous cards that people our age often cannot afford at full price. I know I really enjoy my best friend and her generosity with her photography talent. For the rest of my life I will have Aiden's beautiful, professional baby pictures and unlike my friends in Dallas, I didn't have to pay $300 per session. Really, aren't I getting the better end of the deal?

I really like our group of friends. We are some creative gals. (And for those of you who don't feel creative, we love you a ton any ways!) I am greatful that I have so many good friends that encourage my talents!


Cool Link: www.ImprovementsCatalog.com
This is my new go-to site for great gifts for parents & grandparents who already have everything. (Can you tell I'm getting some Christmas shopping done?) This site has gorgeous holiday decor and some truly handy outdoor items. I can't think of anyone over 50 who wouldn't adore a nice copper bird feeder. Use coupon code ENT2007 for 20% off orders over $50.

Bragging Rights!

Well, I competed in an online scrapbook contest called Digital's Next Top Scrapper and got 4th place out of 100 participants! I'm pretty proud of myself, especially since I have only been digiscrapping for 5 weeks!!!

I am really enjoying digital scrapbooking and I especially like how cheap the kits are and they never get used up! Of course, there are about a dozen kits I want to buy at all times and THAT could get expensive!


Cool Link: http://www.babycheapskate.com/
This gal has dedicated her blog to helping other moms find the best diaper and formula deals for the week. Great site!

MEN! *eyeroll*

Guys have a hard time communicating their feelings OR if they do communicate anything, it's usually anger, because society says that's one of the only feelings that are okay for guys to show. So everything is expressed angrily. It wasn't too long ago that I figured out men are like infants. They will fuss or scream in their most loud and serious voice all because they want you to come pay attention to them, pick them up and love on them. Fast forward 30 years and not much has changed for males. They want to be on the receiving end of our sweet female emotions but they refuse to be "vulnerable" and just ask in a direct way. No, they always have to be the overgrown, angry infant. The only thing that seems to work at getting them to finally stop being angry while you try to guess what they want is to flat out ask, in your most patient, sweet mommy voice "Is this getting you what you really want?" and wait for the very loud, defiant "NO!" so you can ask "What do you want, sweetie?" and wait for the sheepish reply. The answer is almost always more of your attention in one way or another. So just sigh and love on him. The argument about how much of the laundry, vacuuming and housecleaning you didn't get done while paying him and his children attention will come tomorrow!


Cool Link: www.CreativeCorners.net
Brian and I saw these being used during a house remodel on TV one day. They're a really cool way to add interest and modern style to square openings that you wish were arched. Just another odd little link in my never-ending list of random internet places!