And the winner is....

Congratulations Karen!!!
It is not very often I see #1 win on the giveaway and you did! So awesome! Either comment me or email me and let me know what email address to give to Elephant tales.

And a very special thank you to Elephant Tales. I love all of your personalized treasures! Thanks Susan. Don't forget about the 10% off!

I'll be back tomorrow with what the kids did this weekend! And what I didn't have to do!

Becoming a Little Lady

My little girl is hands on. She likes bugs and worms and finding hermit crabs at the beach.
She wipes her mouth on her shirt and laughs real loud if someone burps. But she is still all girl. She is still young and I kind of just let her be. I don't want her to grow too fast, so I don't say too much about her not crossing her legs or doing things in a unladylike fashion. She's got time.

Then the other night, I asked her to set the table and she folded the napkins in a new way. Instead of just throwing the napkin down and forgetting the flatware, she placed them in a neat little way within the napkin. She took pride in her work and beamed when I told her I loved it. And without my constant proding, I realized....

...my little girl is becoming a little lady.

Have a Great Weekend!


Don't forget - The Giveaway ends tomorrow and has super low entries...

Oh, so that's where the gray hair came from....

I was cleaning the bathroom next to my boys' room after putting the little guy to bed. I heard a clinking sound and thought my husband was getting a coffee cup. Wrong!!! The little guy was refusing his nap and thought it was a good idea to stand on big brother's desk and unscrew the five lightbulbs from their standing lamp. As soon he saw me, he said with a smile, "Don't pank me mama, don't pank me". I did everything I could not to laugh. And then it occurred to me, those little gray hairs that have quietly appeared are not because I have entered my thirties, they are there because of the little guy. The little guy who walks out of the house to play in the backyard, whenever he pleases and thinks it's fun to torture his sisters and brother. I guess everyone has one and he is mine. Good thing he's cute. If you are coming by from a Friday follow, check out this giveaway, follow me and I will follow back! Have a great day!

Tuesday Tidbits

Not much going on around here, but....

My son caught a little virus, which can really trigger his asthma and Praise God, he is doing well and without breathing medication!!! I am so excited and know he will be medication free one day soon. It is one of those things you can't see happening while it is going on, but now looking back- I am amazed at where God has brought us!

I have been on the computer too much recently- especially after being re-introduced to etsy. We have been looking at crafts for the kids upcoming party. This takes up too much time. So, yesterday and today, I have been working hard at getting the house in order and not so much on the computer- if you have been wondering- just sayin.

I am pretty upset lately about a blog author that appears on my blog frog. I don't know her and I want to be careful not to judge, but her whole blog seems to promote being joyful after divorce. Again, not judging anyone with a divorce- I do not know circumstances and it is not my place, but....
I do not believe in divorce and feel her title alone, screams out, "Don't worry- life will be fine if you want a divorce."
So, I guess my problem is I don't want to help advertise for this woman's blog, but she is under blog frog's promotions section. I tried to block it, but it didn't work. What would you do?

On another note, I am really enjoying Stairstep Boys' "mini-series" of posts on finances and rental property. I love to hear how other people live financially.
I, myself, spend too much money on things that I shouldn't and need to get organized with our grocery bill and the things the kids actually need versus want.

I can't believe school is around the corner- I am so sad by this, but it does get me more organized! That's always a good thing. I want to start planning for Christmas and how best to go frugal. Anyone with ideas or places to go for ideas, I am all ears.

I watched that hoarding show last night with the husband. Sad to say, I understood some of what they were feeling. I saw a woman who liked crafts (check) and bought stuff with intent to use it (check) and then left it in a big pile (check) and then the pile got so big she couldn't comprehend how to organize it (check), but then when the show paid for a professional organizer she couldn't handle parting with anything so she kept taking breaks (Not ME)!!!
Ok, so I am not a hoarder, but the potential is there..... (Cue scary music)
Hey, at least I won't be the crazy cat lady- I am not by any means an animal lover!!!

Well, this week, I am hoping to get some projects done, hit the beach to work on the tan (lol- like I lay on a towel without kids- hmm- that's not actually a bad idea) and tackle the kids' rooms and weed out junk before school starts! I have 3 going this year- so sad. Where does the time go?


Just thought I would share my thoughts that float around in my head and if you haven't already, check out the awesome giveaway that is going on now!

Happy Tuesday!

Oh yeah- sorry - one more thing- I promise-
Does anyone know why my blog has so much space at the top?
I don't know what happened!

EtsyAugust- Elephant Tales - {giveaway}

We're back with an all new giveaway!!!
Elephant Tales is a great etsy shop filled with personalized goodies!

Susan started Elephant Tales in 2006 and switched to selling on etsy in 2007.

I asked her some questions about her shop and her life.
She wanted to share how she came up with her adorable logo, "My oldest son loved elephants so that's how Elephant Tales came about. Each one of the elephants in my logo represents one of us. My husband is the first elephant with tusks. I'm the second one with the blue eyes and pink toenails! My 9 year old is the third elephant with a tiny scar across his back and my 7 year old is the last one (his hair stuck up when he was little)."

When asked, why she started her business, Susan answered, "I wanted to make some extra money and still be able to stay at home with my kids. I most enjoy spending time with my family and playing with my kids. The time we spend together is priceless!"

The site she visits most is etsy, but also loves howdoesshe.com.
She thinks everyone knows she is a perfectionist and likes everything just so.

I think her work speaks for itself. I first saw Elephant Tales when looking at bottle cap necklaces. I love this one with the little owl and know my girls would too. She also has necklaces with initials for that personalized gift!

And my favorite: Personalized items!!!! These wooden door signs remind me of a catalog I love that would sell these for triple the price. What a value Susan offers for beautiful work!

Susan and Elephant Tales have offered a giveaway for one The Chatty Mommy reader!
A personalized wooden baby block birth announcement/keepsake! They are Susan's favorite out of everything in her shop and she said, " I love personalized items and cute little inexpensive gifts that new parents really love and appreciate. After all, their baby is the most precious thing in their life and these blocks are a reminder of that."
I love the 2 shown below,

but she has many different colors and styles to choose from.

I know there are a ton of mommy bloggers out there that are prego and someone always seems to be pregnant at church or in the neighborhood or maybe you are! Or maybe you are feeling like maybe this would be good to get for a older kid to add to their keepsakes.
This is the perfect gift.

What do you have to do to win?

Be a follower of The Chatty Mommy and visit Elephant Tales and let me know what block you would pick and tell me for who or tell me it's a surprise! (mandatory)
Make Elephant Tales a favorite on etsy- 3 entries.
Blog About It- 5 entries.

Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry you receive.
The giveaway will end Sunday, August 29th at 2pm EST. A winner will be picked by random.org.

BUT WAIT, Susan is offering 10% to any customer that makes a purchase and mentions this blog. The 10% will be refunded back after purchase.

And the winner is.....

Congratulations Sandy! You have won an awesome $25 gift certificate to the FuzzyWuzzyBoutique! Please give me your email address so I can pass it on!
Remember there is limited time to receive 15% off! Use code 8333 in the comment section.

Check back tonight for an all new EtsyAugust giveaway!

Reminder

If you haven't entered this awesome giveaway- do so now. It ends tomorrow.
Have a great weekend!

Jane Lang- Something to Think about.....

I came across an article in my local paper today about a woman named Jane Lang. Lang is blind and travels about 3 hours to be at as many Yankees games as she can, totaling about 50 games a season! She walks a mile from her New Jersey home to the train station and then takes a 70 minute train and then on to the game, with only the help of "Clipper", her seeing eye dog.
The Yankees honored her as part of their HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel)week. They surprised her at home and she was over-joyed.
I thought it was a beautiful story, but I just kept thinking about her perseverance. I need that.
Complaining that I can't clean the bathroom because I am so tired from taking care of the kids just doesn't cut the mustard.
This woman is blind and travels 3 hours into NYC no less!
So tonight I am praying for perseverance. For a lot of things....
That I'll tell you about in a later post.

Wordless Wednesday- Cheap Fun on Vacation 2009

WARNING- Jar Sauce can go bad when left in the CAR

Last week when I went food shopping, I bought my husband's favorite jar sauce.
I do make homemade, but have made it so much in our 11 years of marriage that he decided to switch to jar. So he eats his and I make mine for the kids and I.
I had the kids help me unload the car.
2 days later, I found the jar of sauce still in my trunk. The weather has been pretty mild, so I just put it on the shelves.

Yesterday the kids and I spent the day with our Aunt at Friendlys (my favorite) and at a local chuckie cheese type place. We had a great time, but...
I got home close to 7 and still had to cook dinner.
I had planned on making meatballs, so that is what I made. I took some meatballs and put them in my husband's sauce.
We begin eating and my husband so nicely says, "You have to start to make different meatballs!! These are gross- get a recipe off of the internet".
To which I say, "please be nice- we think they are good", as the kids nod their heads in agreement.

He continues to eat, but still complaining.
Then he tells me - I think the sauce is bad.

Then it clicked.
It probablly was bad- it was in the trunk of my black minivan for 2 days. I tasted the sauce and have never tasted something so bitter and told my husband I couldn't believe he was eating it.
I gave him a plate with our sauce and he said, "these meatballs aren't that bad", which was a compliment I was happy to take.

Then I started thinking- do I have to tell him the truth about the sauce?

He sat down and started complaining that we pay too much money at the store to get a bad can of sauce and he wanted to go tell them too.

I knew I had to tell him. I looked at him and he said, "what?"

"I might of left it in the van for 2 days", I tell him bracing for what he'll say next.

He was great and took it well and even laughed.
All is well in our house, but let it be a lesson- stuff can go bad in the trunk of the car in the summer.
oopsie.

Etsy August- FuzzyWuzzyBoutique- {giveaway}

**This contest is now closed. Congratulations Sandy!!**
It is week 3 of Etsy August and we have yet another giveaway!!! This week I want you to meet Christy from FuzzyWuzzyBoutique.



She has the most beautiful and fun handmade creations for children.

When I was looking at her items, I got some Christmas inspiration- it seems a lot of people are starting their shopping early and I found plenty I could purchase in her shop.

My favorites:

The cutest pair of Little Hoot Owls made from minky and chenille.

A Little Wheels Hot Wheels Roll-Up. This is perfect for the on the go little boy and I can think of 2 who would love this for their birthday or Christmas.

And this crayon roll up is perfect for car rides for some girls I know. FuzzyWuzzyBoutique has many different fabics for both girls and boys and even a delicious cupcake print.

And finally, a minky bunny playset. Isn't it adorable?

I asked Christy some questions and her answers made me love her shop even more!

How long have you been selling on etsy? I have been selling artwork for a few years but just started selling my children's toys and items about a year ago.

What made you start your etsy business? I have two little girls that I have been making toys for, for the last 8 years and thought it would be fun to sell them as well. Before that I made pet beds and pet toys that I sold. I have been sewing since I was very little.

What do you enjoy most in life? I enjoy the simple pleasures in life - I love to sew and paint and if I am not making something then I am thinking about making something. It makes me happy.

What is something you would like everyone to know about you? I worked in a stressful corporate environment for over 10 years, I discovered that you should try to find what makes you happy and do that if you can, life is too short.

What site do you visit most on the internet? I love the website http://www.save-on-crafts.com/. You can buy craft supplies at a lower cost, I also love Esty and buy most all of my supplies from people on there.

What is your favorite item in your etsy shop? I love making the hot wheels roll ups and the playsets, they are fun as well. I love getting the messages from happy parents and how their child packed around the toys for days and won't put it down.

And now for the fun stuff! A giveaway!

Win a $25 gift certificate to FuzzyWuzzyBoutique!

Here's how:
You must be a follower of The Chatty Mommy and tell me what you would buy from FuzzyWuzzyBoutique-this is mandatory- 1 entry
Make FuzzyWuzzyBoutique a favorite on etsy- 3 entries
Blog about it and leave me the link- 5 entries

Leave a separate comment for EACH entry.
The contest will end Sunday, August 22nd at 2pm EST and a winner will be picked by random.org.

Also, for The Chatty Mommy followers- Christy is offering 15% off on everything in her store. Simply put the code 8333 in the comment section while checking out and receive a 15% refund from paypal!

Good Luck!

And the winner is:

Congratulations Mandy! Let me know what email address to give to UmbrellaKids!
And a very special thank you to Jolene from UmbrellaKids for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway!

And for a limited time only 15% off when mentioning thechattymommy in the note section when ordering!

Check back tonight for an all new Etsy August Giveaway!

What a Difference a day makes

We made it to the beach after a crazy morning! The kids had a great time burying me and took awhile to take the sand off of me even after I told them it was hard to breathe with all that sand on me! Darling children!
The sky was beautiful, the weather was warm, but not a heatwave and the waves were huge. The kids were able to play in the surf and it was amazing! Because today was Saturday, it was packed, but not terrible!

The husband made an awesome hole that the kids played in for hours and recruited friends from other blankets to help dig and take care of the hole.
We were there for over 7 hours, but we had everything with us!
The pack and play, the cooler, towels, and a ton of chairs. Oh and don't forget the play things.
A sandcastle my daughter made with newfound friends.


I dream of moving to a less congested, easy living place, but living on an island ain't so bad.

Don't forget the Etsy August giveaway that ends tomorrow and has low entries!

Is it morning already?

I just want to know, why do they keep fighting?
AHHHHHHHHH
"She hit me."
"She said she was going to play with me and now she isn't."
"He's so annoying!"
"It wasn't me!"

And then the minute I say we might not go to the beach they hug each other.

That's the problem- we told them if they are ready early enough- we are leaving by 9:30am to hit the beach.
Therefore, this translated into all 4 of them waking up before 7 with their bathing suits on waiting to go.
Standing over me in bed saying, "Mom, are we still going?"
"Mom, when are you getting dressed?"
"Mom, remember Dad said we had to be ready early."

Yeah, I remember what Dad said and I am beginning to think, we will never tell them that again.
Boy, am I cranky.
Sorry about the rant- it will get better when we get to the beach and they can get the energy out.
Right?

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Seagulls Stole my Pirate's Booty

Ok- so this is not my picture, but this is what my blanket looked like at the beach the other day.
We decided to go to the beach at 3 and we stayed to about 7. It was great- no packing lunch, the baby didn't need his pack and play for a nap. We carried so much less in. When someone needed to go to the bathroom, we all took the walk to the restroom area and came back to a scene much like the picture above.
We bought pirate's booty (a healthy kind of cheese popcorn) at the store the day before because our friends had shared some with us and the kids remembered how much they liked it. Boy, was it expensive!
As we walk up to the seagulls they scampered off, leaving the evidence- the bag of pirate's booty half eaten!
They had gone into our beach bag and pulled out the brand new, unopened bag and pecked at it until it was open.
My kids wanted it so badly and asked if they could eat the rest. I almost said yes, because I am so the mom who does the 3 second rule and eats stuff off the floor. But, I had to say no to a snack that might have bird slobber on it.

You might be wondering how I knew how the birds got the bag.
A woman came rushing off to me to tell me that she watched everything and she had a great laugh, but she couldn't do anything to help because she doesn't believe in touching people's stuff.

So I was a little cranky and felt like saying, "Oh- do you believe in watching and then just letting me know that birds ate our expensive snack?", but of course I just smiled and laughed.
It is just one of those stories that is pretty funny now, but not so funny when the kids are complaining that they really wanted to eat that pirate's booty and they don't want the goldfish pretzels that I had also packed. Why do I buy those things anyway?


The Etsy August Giveaway has low entries and ends soon!

Wordless Wednesday- A thoughtful message