Oh how I love a bargain - especially when it’s on something I have to buy anyway.  I went to our local shopping area specifically to look for a toddler bed.  This particular area has a large baby store and a large mass retailer directly next to each other so I thought  I might be able to price compare and save a few bucks.  I was wrong, instead - I saved a TON.

I’ve priced toddler beds online and they ranged from $55 to several hundred dollars.  I was looking for a plain white one since I’d rather put the money into Francesca’s big girl bed later one.  The large mass retailer had a white sleigh bed at what looked like an inventory reduction price of $27.50.  It was the only white one there - score!  When I got up to the register it rang up at $13.50.  I think my mouth dropped open and hit the floor because the cashier reiterated the price and then asked if there were any more.  I’d be lucky to pay that for a used one at a garage sale but this is brand new.  I love it when things like that happen.  It’s not that often, but when it does it sure is nice.

I put the bed together with Ross’ help and it’s cute.  I can’t wait to get the room painted and prettied up.  Here is the new toddler bed….

And here it is today - being used for the first time at nap time!

Now I need to get some new bedding - which I am sure will cost more than the bed itself!  I’m good with the sheets since it’s the same crib mattress but now I need some bigger blankets - ones that are NOT character licensed.  So much more work to do in Francesca’s room but it’s coming along.

Literally.

Directions courtesy http://www.Nickjr.com.  that’s HoHo from Ni Hao, Kai lan - a Nick Jr. show.  Ross has been wanting to make this for a while now.  The one with the blue trim is his - he did most of it himself.  The white trimmed one is for Francesca - she did none of the work but she did nap while we made hers which was a HUGE help.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you! xxxooo

At a craft show right before Christmas, I saw an adorable barrette holder made from a picture frame.  I had already spent my budgeted craft show spending money so I couldn’t buy it, but it seemed relatively easy to make. 

I tried my hand at it this week and it came out pretty cute.  

It was really easy to make too.

Now I’ll just be obsessed with finding cute little barrettes like this little Gingerbread one from http://www.giddygiddy.com.  It will be fun trying.

In an effort to reclaim my bed and my sleep, I’ve redoubled the “get the kids to sleep in their own beds” initiative, otherwise known as GTKTSITOB.  This initiative has been met with limited success and some time spent in my bed without them is a mixed blessing as I spend most of the time wondering when they’ll come in my bed and who will be first.  Ross comes in silently and snugles up as close as posible.   Francesca comes running in, smiling and saying “mommom”. 

Now I know that time flies by and that some time in the future they will not want to sleep with me and that I will likely miss snuggling with them.  I already do when they manage to spend some time in their own beds.  It still is kind of nice to not have to lie on the very edge of the bed, dodging the inevitable foot to the face or arm slung over the chest.

I am constantly amazed at how my 5 year old boy walks the tightrope between a little boy and big boy.  During the day he is all big boy, fighting the sith with his light sabre and building towers and then making them crash down.  He is using phrases and words that take me by surprise - “Oh, for Heaven’s Sake” was his most recent phrase and now when he explains what happened he starts with “well, apparently”.  

But at night the little boy comes out.  The little boy who wants just one more story because he so very desperately does not want to go to sleep.  The little boy who insists he really does not sleep at all, he keeps his eyes open all night.  The little boy who does not want to be left alone, even with a very bright night light, because he sees the monsters. 

“Please come sleep with me” he says.  As I lay down with him, I try to reason with him that I don’t see any monsters.  They certainly can’t be under his bed as there is no room (his bunk bed has captains drawers under it and so it rests on the floor).  And surely Moose would scare them away.  “No”, he says, “they are here”.  “You can’t see them right now because they are on vacation,  but they were right there”. 

I’m not really sure what to say to that.  I want to tell him that there is no such thing as monsters.  But he truly believes in monsters.  And ghosts too.  When he sleeps in my bed, he walks all the way around to my side to climb in.  He never comes in on the other side, the side by the closet.  EVER.  Even during the day, if he climbs on the bed to play it’s from the side furthest away from the closet.  And at night when he climbs in he sleeps as close to me as humanly possible.  All to stay as far away from the ghosts as he can.    

So I lie with him and read more story books and talk with him and snuggle with him until he falls asleep.  And then,  before I leave the room, I check for monsters.  Just in case.

I baked chocolate chip cookies on Friday.  Ross and Francesca shared a cookie (a big cookie) later that evening.  Ross has a tendency to leave his snacks on the end table in the living room, which in our house is a problem.  The dog is just chompin at the bit to get his snack, it’s like stealing candy from a baby.   This time, Moose was a bit too slow. 

As I was cleaning up in the kitchen I heard the pitter patter of very very quick little feat.  That sound means trouble is brewing or something just happened.

I followed the sound and saw Francesca hiding behind her crib, eating what was left of Ross’ cookie.  Smart kid - even the dog has a hard time getting back there.

So in my usual way of putting the cart before the horse, I found the perfect rug and lamp for Francesca’s new room.  We still have to fix the ceiling (air conditioning leak from the attic) and paint the room (a lilac-like shade), but I fell in love with the pieces and just knew that when I was ready for them they’d be gone.

The lamp is from Target.  The shadow box with the little doll inside was a gift from Nicole and Brandon to Francesca.  Nicole made the little “doll” and framed it.   I received the crafts and pieces to make more dolls as part of my Christmas gift from Nicole and Brandon.  Thank you Nicole and Brandon!

The rug is also from Target.  The table will be set up soon and ready for tea parties.  This is the same table and chairs from when Nicole and Ashley were little.  Just stripped and painted. Thank you Sam - nice job!

I love that the rug has some pink in it.  Just perfect for her room.  Next we need to pick up a toddler bed and some bookcases/storage shelves and more bins and baskets to hold the many toys she has accumulated.  I want to get white, and eventually the bedroom furniture will be all white too but that will come later.  For now storage and the toddler bed will do just fine.

Now I need to get Sam moving on the ceiling so I can get the room painted and get her in there.  Ross has plans for the space that will open up in his room once Francesca’s crib is taken out.  He is all set for a reading nook.  That is another post for another day.

I’ll post photos when the room is painted. Just don’t hold your breath.  We don’t move at lightening speed around here.

I

Happy New Year to everyone!  I am off to celebrate an early new Year’s Eve with my little people.  We have noise makers, hats, confetti and horns and are rarin’ to go! 

Sam is making a special dinner for us and we have our customary appetizers and shrimp platter for snacking on later.

Be safe and have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Day after Christmas and a million toys later.  What do they play with?  The after Christmas sale storage box.  We sure could have saved a lot of money.

The New Year traditionally says out with the old, bring in the new.  With new toothbrushes in their stockings from Santa (and a recent visit for a cleaning at the dentists office) in our house it’s out with the old toothbrushes and in with the new. 

There was one condition.  Before tossing the old Power Ranger toothbrush, a photo to memorialize it had to be taken.  And while we were at it, photos of the two new ones, Spider Man (courtesy of Santa Claus) and a new, albeit manual, Power Rangers (how did Dr. B know?).  Each has its’ own appeal.  And lest we forget Francesca’s new Dora toothbrush.  Every time she passes the bathroom she wants to brush her teeth.  I could think of worse things.  

So now, without further ado…. I bring you….. TOOTHBRUSHES, The Post!

farewell fond Power Ranger friend.

Hello Spidey!

and a new Power Ranger - thanks Dr. B!

Now if only I could get them to floss.  Come on all you marketers -  how about some character-based, licensed kids floss?  And now if you’ll excuse me, I have an old toothbrush to dispose of.