tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11372992578663619992024-03-20T08:12:36.603-07:00Shining StarsTara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-88286781837904700962012-01-02T08:36:00.000-08:002012-01-02T08:36:35.208-08:00Happy New Year from the Burtons!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My intention was to email everyone a Merry Christmas card with updated family pictures. <br />
Christmas Day came a lot quicker than I thought it would! So . . . HAPPY NEW YEAR!! In 2011 we felt like we got run over by a train! The year started out with a lot of financial struggles but ended with Chris' business finally looking up, after a long, hard season of getting established. We are continuing to press into our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ trusting in Him for provision. We have so much to be thankful for! A roof over our heads, health, beautiful children and many other blessings.<br />
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Elizabeth turns 5 in 10 days!! She will be celebrating with friends and family by having a "Royal Tea Party". She is looking forward to learning how to read and last year I started teaching her to write her letters in cursive - that's been fun! Ellie loves to play princess/dress-up, she is always "cooking" in her kitchen and LOVES to draw us all pictures.</div>
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Josiah is 3 1/2 and continues to keep us on our toes. He mimics his big sister much of the time, constantly playing "catch-up". He still loves to be rocked by his mommy, makes strange noises when he is falling asleep and doesn't stop moving when he is awake. He's really into knights/princes and dragons. He turns into a "big-boy" the second that there is "danger" he must save Ellie from!</div>
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You can see more of our pictures and our life throughout this last year (and continue to keep updated) by checking out my <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/home">web album</a>. I probably upload new pictures every week or so. I also have a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/shiningstars77">youtube</a> account where I try to upload videos of the children at least once a month. Enjoy looking at them as much (or as little) as you desire!<br />
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Have a Blessed New Year my dear family and friends!<br />
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<i>Love, </i><br />
<i>the Burtons</i><br />
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Photos taken by my brother, Paul, in Old Town Sacramento following the celebration of my dad's 60th!<br />
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<br />Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-80398837536673431712012-01-01T11:06:00.000-08:002012-01-01T11:06:59.701-08:00A new buffet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I grew up with this buffet. My parents received it as a present when they purchased their first house when I was two ... 1979. I've always LOVED it and was promised that one day I could have it in my own home. Here it is in my diningroom ... I love that all my napkins, etc is now safely tucked away and no longer cluttering my life. Thank you mom and dad!<br />
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<br />Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-64953972032744881042011-12-13T07:39:00.000-08:002011-12-13T07:39:36.007-08:00I made my own yogurt!!Following the directions found <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html">HERE </a>I made my own yogurt last night. It was surprisingly easy. Put the milk in my 6qt crock pot, turned it on low and walked away for 2 1/2 hours. Off for 3 hours and then mixed 1/2 cup of store bought yogurt in. 10:45 at night by this time so I covered the pot with towels to keep it insulated and went to bed! Got up in the morning and it was nice and thick on my kitchen counter . . . tasted it, but lukewarm yogurt isn't my favorite so I stuck it in the fridge and we'll have some as a snack today! I am planning on making "<a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/10/homemade-go-gurts.html">Go-gurts</a>" with some of it and will definitely do this again!<br />
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Oh . . . have I mentioned that we've been making our own kefir? It is surprisingly easy to care for and every two days or so we have yummy kefir to drink, mix into smoothies, etc!<br />Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-26356619034187134692011-11-30T13:45:00.001-08:002011-11-30T13:53:52.140-08:00The routine wins!I have my children on a pretty tight routine ... at least when it comes to sleeping ... actually, that may be the ONLY thing that is tight around this house :) We put them to bed around 9 every night and they are up around 8:30ish in the morning. We do our thing during the morning and early afternoon and then around 3pm every day I put them down for a rest/nap and then they are up again by 4:30 to make this house of mine a home again!<br />
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Yesterday was a BEAUTIFUL Southern California day - in the mid 80's - and both Elizabeth and Josiah were having a blast playing outside in their "fort". It was getting closer to rest time and I decided to let them stay awake and play. Tick, tock, tick, tock ... the minutes went by and at 3:30 both children come running inside because they are finished playing! I changed my plan again and put them down for their rest time. Usually Elizabeth plays quietly in her room the whole time and Josiah goes to sleep. I figured that I wouldn't put Josiah to sleep this time, maybe I could get him to bed earlier at night?! He brought toys in his room and proceeded to play ... aaaah ... I went out to get some filing done for Chris. 30 minutes later Josiah comes out and tells me that he would like his humidifier on, the lights off and for me to tuck him into bed. Zzzzzzzzzzz ... he slept through his alarm and I had to wake him up at 5ish. So much for me trying to take away the routine for a day ... he went and took it back!Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-17335009826454022872011-11-23T07:18:00.001-08:002011-11-23T07:24:26.593-08:00Bike Bucket TutorialI fell in LOVE with this <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/06/bicycle-bucket-tutorial.html">tutorial </a>a few months back when I saw the picture on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/103160647683956317/">pinterest </a>(check it out... it's an amazing and fun site) and decided to make one for each child. So last week, using up scraps of fabric I put it together and here they are!<br />
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<br />Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-50023205896781035392011-11-23T07:05:00.001-08:002011-11-28T19:26:43.648-08:00Our Autumn decorations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the middle of October we were driving around seeing all the many decorations up for Halloween. It made me want to decorate my own house, but with the Harvest/Autumn in mind instead. We found this tutorial <a href="http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2011/09/autumn-window-collage.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FrugalFamilyFunBlog+%28Frugal+Family+Fun+Blog%29">HERE</a> and I proceeded to cut out my tissue paper leaves. Next time I would make a variety of sizes like she did because I felt like I had made a bunch of colored "football" leaves when I stood back and took it all in! </div>
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After gluing them on to the window Elizabeth is painting with black tempura paint </div>
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Josiah's turn, notice the rather "football looking" leaves on the left</div>
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Elle got ahold of my camera</div>
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The finished product!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving!!</span></b></span></div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-66281988245385990282011-11-22T22:29:00.001-08:002012-01-01T11:41:42.858-08:00Fun b-day card to makeFound this cool card <a href="http://minimozblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-love-you-this-much-card.html">HERE </a>and made it back in October for my Mother-in-law. It was fun to make and super easy!<br />
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Cut out two sets of slightly enlarged hands, traced Elizabeth and Josiah's hands on one side, added the words "We love you"</div>
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THIS MUCH</div>
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This one is definitely a keeper ... don't be surprised if it shows up in your mail box!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-32607866360867509052011-09-29T07:39:00.000-07:002011-09-29T07:39:55.209-07:00Getting my house (LIFE) back in orderMy house has been a mess ...<br />
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Dining room/School room</div>
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Other side of dining/school room</div>
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I couldn't take it anymore ... I had allowed the mess to rule my life and I couldn't get anything else done! I found I was avoiding the kitchen and dining rooms but I couldn't any longer! So yesterday afternoon during the kids naps and while Chris took them to gymnastics I put a good book in my ears (A room with a view) and went to work!</div>
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This is how it should look at ALL times ... amazing!!</div>
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No more clutter!! I think I need to put something on that wall, tho.</div>
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What a difference putting the ironing board up makes!</div>
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I'm ready to tackle some sewing projects now!</div>
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My goal is to <i>keep</i> my house looking this way from now on. Follow through and self discipline ... which is something I lack and yet it is gift that I wish to give to my children. How can I give something to them which I am not myself practicing? Today is a new day!!</div>
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<br />Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-18787785592052753152011-09-11T22:04:00.000-07:002011-09-11T22:04:33.819-07:00making ragsI saw a cool blog <a href="http://www.joannadoesitall.com/2011/08/recycled-cleaning-rags.html">POST </a>about taking the husbands old socks and making rags out of them. I already use our old socks for dusting but I thought that opening them up could possibly get more use out of them. I wasn't 100% sold on the idea tho ... seemed like a lot of work for something you were just going to clean with ... UNTIL I remembered the Bridal Shower I was going to this weekend and that I had no present for the bride to be! I made her a handful of rags that I dyed in blue dye first and then sewed some extra fabric on the back to make them a bit more sturdy. But you can't just give someone rags for a present .... enter the <a href="http://thepurposedheart.com/lavender-vinegar/"><i>lavender vinegar</i></a> that I had just finished making! I poured some into a bottle and then grabbed the book, "Organic Housekeeping" and put it all together in a basket I had around the house. It was cute and I felt good about my accomplishments ...<br />
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of course today I still had a bunch of old socks lying around that I needed to do something with! So I grabbed some more old fabric and made over a dozen rags for cleaning around my house. and I STILL have leftover socks!! <br />
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Here is the pile of old socks</div>
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Here are the fabric scraps</div>
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Here is my finished product!</div>
<br />Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-56279594923681840722011-06-04T21:30:00.001-07:002011-06-04T21:48:55.516-07:00Glimpse into a pretty typical SaturdayWhat a day I had today! The kids and I were out of the door by 8:15 ... we had a coupon for Buy One Get One for Jamba Juice and the same for Noah's bagels (right next door to each other). It was so fun to give them a special treat! They have so much joy and it must be contagious because a very nice lady who met us in Jamba Juice and then again at Noah's bagels handed me two cookies that she bought for the kids because she just thought they were so adorable and sweet. Aaah!! How nice is that?!<div><br /></div><div>We headed over to the "Pantry", where a group of Christians hands out recently expired food from local grocery stores, and waited in line until it was our turn for food. I had just "weaned" them off of needing to watch a movie while mommy goes into the kitchen to get the food ... now it has moved from being a time of me socializing w/ friends to being a time of me spending quality time w/ them ... I read them 3 books while we waited and then sent them (along w/ my phone for distraction) to the stairs to wait. On our way home we stopped at Trader Joes (the small one, as Ellie calls it) tried the sample, got a few items and found the "panther" hiding in the store. Always an adventure w/ my kids!</div><div><br /></div><div>Home. An our later we were out the door again on a bike ride to the library. It's a little over a mile to the bike path and then another 1.2 miles to the library from there. It took me twice as long this time! I felt like I was pulling an elephant ... it wasn't until I was on my way back that I finally took a look at the tires on the trailer ... yep, it wasn't on right and had been "rubbing" on the trailer the whole time. Yikes ... </div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner the kids and I watched "Homeward Bound". I'm such a sap ... cried at the end ... and now I'm waiting for Chris to come home so we can watch a free movie together. Yes, free! Blockbuster is doing this cool thing right now where all the movies that are not new releases are FREE for the month of June! He took back the kids movie and got the Soloist for us to watch ... looking forward to having some Madelaine's and Rooibos tea while watching a movie w/ my hus!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-9658116936892019482011-06-03T22:28:00.000-07:002011-06-03T22:48:18.888-07:00homemade refried beans<div><div><div>I made crockpot burritos tonight ... but before I could make them I needed to make refried beans - so at 7 this morning I rinsed my beans, boiled them and then turned off and let them soak for 4 hours. At 11am I rinsed them and set them back on the stove to boil for about an hour. Around 3 this afternoon, using the recipe my mom gave to me from a good friend of hers, I finely chopped strips of corn tortilla, chopped some onion and 2 garlic cloves and sauteed them until soft in some olive oil on the stove ...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU03V8VGnXjnlDMCOGmJ3lXLwnGVC1Xlx4NrwWuyYL74o9gCaXsIbr2V4UPHtiCkwWixLPQkF0DdcQnWhyacL91Lhsv9CFxlz3tpefb7BadZ9VqRb4EheJTthmWjxrWjJ9T0_NTNA4Bg/s1600/1307139354264.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU03V8VGnXjnlDMCOGmJ3lXLwnGVC1Xlx4NrwWuyYL74o9gCaXsIbr2V4UPHtiCkwWixLPQkF0DdcQnWhyacL91Lhsv9CFxlz3tpefb7BadZ9VqRb4EheJTthmWjxrWjJ9T0_NTNA4Bg/s320/1307139354264.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614235450258345986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 268px; " /></a>added the beans w/ some of the reserved water from the beans, mashed them and then added a lot of salt until they no longer tasted bland and still I could have added a little more!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOfqd7SFNyMJXCp8BQV__yBhgZoYmlowyBjMZQg2bMcUsDgmjA4SrbMKN5QJVAE22RWvGjMG1oHU8kuh3bKNohQwMrmF9VKw72W5k1Z__PCZirnJwlXkQt4UrNXxY7y8mTih_EgG9rd4/s1600/1307139529858.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOfqd7SFNyMJXCp8BQV__yBhgZoYmlowyBjMZQg2bMcUsDgmjA4SrbMKN5QJVAE22RWvGjMG1oHU8kuh3bKNohQwMrmF9VKw72W5k1Z__PCZirnJwlXkQt4UrNXxY7y8mTih_EgG9rd4/s320/1307139529858.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614236063444918322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 268px; " /></a><div>When I was finished I had enough to put in my crockpot burritos (which were cooked for 2 hours on high each wrapped in foil (note to self: tortillas are soggy when cooked this way ... must put in oven and/or broiler for a few minutes before serving). They were very tasty - kids LOVED them! I ALSO had enough to put aside for lunch tomorrow or Sunday AND I froze some too!</div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl70yCALhRSpf0YDJRm_E2ZWbQxtzunJxhvKwTkiKrzlBX_4brlO79D18DpFJ5Gj9E3Sq-LiFypfyyfV26WrmMVTRnq40ZndpfrSSRctJF21H99w9pyegzolJaP4dIEnlR4mCfhtrZwo/s1600/1307148736642.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl70yCALhRSpf0YDJRm_E2ZWbQxtzunJxhvKwTkiKrzlBX_4brlO79D18DpFJ5Gj9E3Sq-LiFypfyyfV26WrmMVTRnq40ZndpfrSSRctJF21H99w9pyegzolJaP4dIEnlR4mCfhtrZwo/s320/1307148736642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614237141183570738" /></a><br /><div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-8939452567532695412011-05-28T07:44:00.000-07:002011-05-28T07:57:33.417-07:00Sleep trainingIn the last month it FINALLY clicked! Both kids now stay in their rooms until 8am every day! Woo-hoo! We have these monkeys, see ... they are amazing. You set them at night by putting their eyes closed and they "wake up" at the time set for them in the morning. Genius! There was many a morning when I had to send them back to their rooms after asking them, "is your monkey awake?" Now when Josiah wakes up he grabs his rocking horse out of the hall and goes back inside until his monkey wakes up. He sometimes wakes up as early as 7am ... but he stays in there until he's allowed out! Elizabeth sometimes wakes up @ 7:30/45 and she uses the bathroom and climbs back into her bed. I feel like I can finally enjoy my mornings!!<div><br /></div><div>I would say that the monkey works best with children who are closer to 3 ... they just don't seem to "get it" before then. There are other sleep training clocks out there and they probably work just as well. We just happened to settle on this one! As a parent you aren't off the hook once you purchase something like this ... you have to do the work of training them to stay in their room ... pointing them back to the clock every time. Also, if your child currently wakes up @ 6am every day you can't expect for them to stay in their room until 8am just because the clock says they should. You must start with reasonable goals with your child and work toward a time that gives you <i>and </i>your child peace!</div><div><br /></div><div>You can check out all of them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sleep+trainer&sprefix=sleep+trainer#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_20?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sleep+training+clock&sprefix=sleep+training+clock&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asleep+training+clock">HERE </a>at Amazon.com. Our monkey clocks are about half way down the page - and remember the clock is NOT a toy, do not be fooled into allowing your child to carry his/her monkey all around the house - it WILL break!!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-38893100314707008652011-05-23T21:03:00.001-07:002011-05-23T21:30:30.567-07:00Feeling Productive<div><div><div><div><div>Today is exactly how I would like to see my Monday's go ... not that it was a perfect day but I was able to accomplish a lot <i>and </i>enjoy myself in the process!<div><br /></div><div>Alarm went off @ 5am ... finally pulled myself out of bed and 5:45. Clothes on, out the door and on a mile run. I <i>think</i> my eyes finally opened about 3 minutes into the run :) Back home to do some push-ups, stretch and wash my floor. Shower. Drank a nice cup of tea while I read the Word - those Proverbs can <i>really</i> hit home! 8am kids started to stir ... my day is here and I am ready!</div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2zUOC8ra_MQBXrkOYWGbU4sftP5PpfMPCtNJY7IWdwnWkSDfqsW4nKmeruUZvAkURKNH5ewTXJJSWBVubEvnKZ2sKSJqpV0MUWwCFRJ5Nnn825f7uW2qZWOoKSBT276q5PTb_BIAX7s/s1600/1306162964488.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2zUOC8ra_MQBXrkOYWGbU4sftP5PpfMPCtNJY7IWdwnWkSDfqsW4nKmeruUZvAkURKNH5ewTXJJSWBVubEvnKZ2sKSJqpV0MUWwCFRJ5Nnn825f7uW2qZWOoKSBT276q5PTb_BIAX7s/s320/1306162964488.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610130710573233058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">This was the first 3 loads of laundry ... I ended up doing 6 loads - yikes!</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI_BXRsoeCfxqItDAmzo3XMG9WMiv5q8MjpdeO8r8p34WZ60BIwB2B4I7Sr-wTjDOqFv_1XkZY0mx7XONdAEastLktfPbxJZxzy9KBZFHrlczYpqO2ejZss3IFfxNuqVln3tITZUsX0c/s1600/1306172690771.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI_BXRsoeCfxqItDAmzo3XMG9WMiv5q8MjpdeO8r8p34WZ60BIwB2B4I7Sr-wTjDOqFv_1XkZY0mx7XONdAEastLktfPbxJZxzy9KBZFHrlczYpqO2ejZss3IFfxNuqVln3tITZUsX0c/s320/1306172690771.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610131881775977394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div><div style="text-align: center; ">I even hung extra line to accomodate for all the clothes I was drying ... this was the first round</div></div></span></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd550FnKN2r5HnJzgJ0_yiiR_lY3Q8tAgiIo9yk-PM4JuP3zk4qKVsGqzVvWfhhVyk0QMBE-wYeg2XN-s-9D0N-yGQC46GpaS-51piB7AiRApE_K_upNaNASCJ6x2etT_UXXhBkvW8Zc/s1600/1306163856175.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd550FnKN2r5HnJzgJ0_yiiR_lY3Q8tAgiIo9yk-PM4JuP3zk4qKVsGqzVvWfhhVyk0QMBE-wYeg2XN-s-9D0N-yGQC46GpaS-51piB7AiRApE_K_upNaNASCJ6x2etT_UXXhBkvW8Zc/s320/1306163856175.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610132765546831682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px; " /></a>While I was waiting on clothes to wash and dry I decided to make some pillowcases out of an old sheet.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5uQfH3EB2k_DOpGVpBvT6dtlkXVDZbvkp7tMiK3iac_gxX5lkqZ2Y_DLlRDb1BD7d2-Gyzi5ACWTSijPx3Ow5pmA5w-AxbKhcjK6Pqg-1Rr2DJsK74Tn01u5gRM6hAkihnrsmZOgMvc/s1600/1306189686700.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5uQfH3EB2k_DOpGVpBvT6dtlkXVDZbvkp7tMiK3iac_gxX5lkqZ2Y_DLlRDb1BD7d2-Gyzi5ACWTSijPx3Ow5pmA5w-AxbKhcjK6Pqg-1Rr2DJsK74Tn01u5gRM6hAkihnrsmZOgMvc/s320/1306189686700.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610134082776496418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px; " /></a><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Aaaah! Finally made it to the last load! (I think it was around 3 pm or so)</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqepprYxB_58cASe4fpE-hBmWnzpionDAuDrbm1CCKbQaT68yQB_2cvDsYNxv_MPe63KZlSOMEAkVRTg8Gr4ZnSVFm12JIsbX_aAXdlqt2FY_se90Jwcht-3uRyGg0_71VbgW_-IOz_yk/s1600/1306206036288.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqepprYxB_58cASe4fpE-hBmWnzpionDAuDrbm1CCKbQaT68yQB_2cvDsYNxv_MPe63KZlSOMEAkVRTg8Gr4ZnSVFm12JIsbX_aAXdlqt2FY_se90Jwcht-3uRyGg0_71VbgW_-IOz_yk/s320/1306206036288.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610133275674267394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px; " /></a>I was finished making 5 pillowcases and a handful of napkins shortly after dinner ... in the background is the remainder of the sheet not yet used.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7f3ds5tBZB1u6R5MsTajVWl4WkC54pnnB1mxBn8MoSh8Vig5bcC_6dO7sN5Hc1RwGzaaeawqFV5k-M918bVnrP7JD6yAm4ckyiHNYTwkb1rc14zqhwpsgPL8A9BLm_B2waNud1lQ5ek/s1600/1306207995876.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7f3ds5tBZB1u6R5MsTajVWl4WkC54pnnB1mxBn8MoSh8Vig5bcC_6dO7sN5Hc1RwGzaaeawqFV5k-M918bVnrP7JD6yAm4ckyiHNYTwkb1rc14zqhwpsgPL8A9BLm_B2waNud1lQ5ek/s320/1306207995876.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610134681473624674" /></a>It's 9pm ... I have a load of jeans in the dryer and these clothes on my couch ... I'm going to spend some time w/ my husband and then take care of these in the morning!!<div><br /></div><div>Oh - and I dusted and vacuumed the whole house (minus the livingroom). It was a very productive day!!<br /><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></span></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI_BXRsoeCfxqItDAmzo3XMG9WMiv5q8MjpdeO8r8p34WZ60BIwB2B4I7Sr-wTjDOqFv_1XkZY0mx7XONdAEastLktfPbxJZxzy9KBZFHrlczYpqO2ejZss3IFfxNuqVln3tITZUsX0c/s1600/1306172690771.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI_BXRsoeCfxqItDAmzo3XMG9WMiv5q8MjpdeO8r8p34WZ60BIwB2B4I7Sr-wTjDOqFv_1XkZY0mx7XONdAEastLktfPbxJZxzy9KBZFHrlczYpqO2ejZss3IFfxNuqVln3tITZUsX0c/s1600/1306172690771.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-48345904553986643482011-04-20T13:28:00.000-07:002011-04-20T13:38:40.729-07:00I'll get my exercise any way I can!Needed to go to Trader Joes today ... so I packed the kids in the Burley trailer and headed out on my bike. 3.8 miles on the way there ... 28 minutes pulling 70 lbs and going up and down hills the whole way! 3.3 miles on the way home (found a shorter route) and I don't know how long it took because I couldn't make it up the 2nd to last hill. Kids had to get out and walk for a couple of blocks. We had one more hill after that and the kids got out again to walk another block. Finally made it home. I'm exhausted but I feel so good! My goal is to keep it up!! Tomorrow I'm going to ride the bike w/ the trailer to the library/park (2.2 miles) and then walk a couple miles around the park with a friend. Yaay!!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-61273603195180820542010-10-30T07:56:00.000-07:002010-12-01T07:37:09.097-08:00Extreme potty training with JosiahPotty training ran my life for 3 days one month ago ... but the rewards have been GREAT and Josiah's inconsistency in his poo & pee habits are no longer running mine day in and day out! I began the saga for training Josiah back in the beginning of July. I could tell he had been "ready" for quite awhile and he did good for a little while ... but then he began to regress, I began to get frustrated and all in all I realized there was a lot of inconsistency that I was allowing to happen. That's when I ran across the 3 day potty training method and after reading it realized that it was the right fit for both Josiah and I. So after taking a 14 day break from doing anything I put it into practice the last weekend of October.<div><br /><b>This is a snapshot of my first day</b>: We got up and had breakfast together. We then took all his diapers and padded training pants and told them "goodbye". We got all his new underwear from the dryer and put them in his drawer. I took him to the bathroom and introduced him to his new <a href="http://pottytrainingstore.com/wee-man-potty-urinal.html">weeman urinal</a> and told him that pee and poo were going in the bathroom from now on because he is a BIG boy! Then we went about our day. He made it to the bathroom first thing to go poo - he likes to hold on to mom and put his little head in the crook of my neck while he "does his thing". It's a little stinky but that's what he needs for now ... that's when he told me that I was his favorite superhero - awesome!! The rest of the morning and afternoon was him peeing in his underwear (or rather on the floor) and me rushing him to the bathroom saying, "yucky, now your underwear is wet". I got peed on twice during that time and spent a lot of time w/ vinegar-water and a rag :) I spent a lot of the day saying, "tell mommy when you need to go pee" and "are you still dry?" "Good boy, keep your underwear dry"! Finally at dinner time we sat down for our meal and he said, "I need to go pee" - which he hadn't done for about 2 hours. Chris was home so we made it a family affair and we all went into the bathroom together to see him go pee in his new urinal. And BOY did he go!! He "dumped" it back in the toilet, got his treat and Ellie led the procession out to the livingroom so we could "jump for joy" ... although Josiah refused to jump for joy until we changed it to, "jumping for Penny" (from the movie Bolt). He did GREAT the rest of the evening and when it came time for bed he went pee w/ his daddy and we tucked him in ... prepared for a night of changing sheets ... which never happened! He came out 20 mins after we put him down to go pee one last time and then Chris took him pee @ 3am.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's been one month since those 3 days and I am happy to say that Josiah is fully potty trained. He has moved from going pee in his wee-man urinal to standing on a stool and going pee "just like daddy". We are working on him going all by himself now - something I remember doing w/ Elizabeth when I first trained her. If he doesn't need my assistance he gets a special treat and he LOVES that incentive! He still has accidents now and then - but mostly just little leaks from waiting too long. It's still hit or miss during the night. Sometimes he'll keep his bed dry all night long and other times he has accidents all thru the night! I decided a few days ago to use the padded cloth pull-ups I used with Elizabeth when she was his age and I have cut my laundry in half!! All in all I am VERY happy to not have to wash cloth diapers every other day - I do not miss the diaper days one bit!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-34786971674512866422010-10-27T06:40:00.001-07:002010-10-27T06:58:55.518-07:00it's been almost 2 weeks ...<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">since I removed the dvds from the livingroom and put the library books in their place. The first </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">week was a bit tough with Elizabeth asking for a movie every day. Also every time I did her hair </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">she asked for "PBS kids" (which we watch on our computer). I told her we weren't going to watch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">a movie every day anymore and so when the asking would start again I would sit on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">couch with the kids and pull out a book. We've read SO many books over this past week. First of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">all I am absolutely amazed at the attention span of my 2 year old. We've been reading books for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">the 4 - 5 year old level and he has no problem sitting there the whole time. They will sit there for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">20 - 30 minutes at a time just listening to me read! One would think that with all this reading my</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "> house would be messier than before ... the funny thing is that it's not any worse than when I when </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">we were watching anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours of a dvd per day. After talking to my friend </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">Carrie about this I realized that unlike watching a dvd Ellie and Josiah are interacting with me the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">whole time we read together. They are getting an extra dose of love that they cannot get with a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">movie. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">We watched a movie on Friday night together (well most of it was together) and since then they </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">have only asked to watch a movie once. Even yesterday when I was doing Ellie's hair she didn't </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">ask to watch anything ... she just played with her toys at the table along with Josiah. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">It has been a wonderful transition for us all!</span></div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-75332979874201600042010-10-06T07:21:00.000-07:002010-10-06T07:29:48.581-07:00Rain!I woke up around 3:30/4 this morning to the sound of the rain ... was SO excited to hear it pouring down and wished that I had a window in my room to open and listen even more! Had just drifted back to sleep when Ellie came into the room saying, "mom, you were mad at me in bed", "What?" I replied. "I had a dream and you were mad." I picked her up reassuring her that I was NOT mad and that I loved her. I then took her to the potty, put her back in bed and told her to listen to the sound of the rain that God was sending for her to listen to. Her eyes were wide and her smile got big as she talked about how she couldn't wait for morning when she could put her boots and raincoat on and go jump in the puddles! Somewhere between 4 and 5 she came in yet again and I tucked her back into bed ... then Josiah woke up screaming about his "pee-pee" hurting him ... took him pee and told him to listen to the rain. He was so excited to wake up and go out in the rain that I'm surprised he actually fell back to sleep!<div><br /></div><div>It's so fun to share with my children the joy of weather and change in the seasons!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-25653056118676510792010-10-04T06:11:00.001-07:002010-10-04T06:37:06.668-07:00God is so good<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >My son loves this song ... found him standing on top of my laundry basket singing this on the top of his lungs yesterday. Such a beautiful sound to hear your children singing praises to the Lord. It truly is a picture of the verse in scripture that says, "...out of the overflow of the mouth, the heart speaks." (Luke 6:45)</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >I am praising the Lord this morning because he is good. The past year and especially the last few months have been a tough journey for our family. We have been struggling financially in a way that we've never struggled before. We have had to let all of our credit cards go, stop paying on most of our mortgages (we have several investment properties), have lost one property to foreclosure, we are the in process of declaring bankruptcy, have bills due this next week that I have NO idea how we will pay and the list goes on.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><b>Yet the Lord is faithful. </b></i></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >I began babysitting a little boy at the beginning of summer - that's the Lord's provision. </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >A friend called us right after we prayed about our bills a few weeks ago and offered to loan us the money we needed to get through the end of the month - that's the Lord's provision.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >I am on the end of all my tea/coffee and lately I haven't been able to get through the day w/o some caffeine ... yesterday I won a coffee and tea package at a babyshower - that too is the Lord's provision.</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Those are just a few of the things that come to mind as I sit here in the early morning, yet the point is not in a list - the <i>point</i> is that HE is faithful and takes care of His own!</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >All the while my husband works and works to try to see deals close in real estate. He's even going to drive a trailer one day this month and deliver a bunch of packages through a gig he found on craigslist. I'm so proud of him and the way he's stuck to his work even though there has yet to be real payoff AND that he is looking for alternative and creative ways to provide for his family.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >I will continue to praise HIM, continue to trust in HIM, continue to "lift up my eyes to the hills" for He is faithful. (Heb 10:23)</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >I lift up my eyes to the hills—<br /> where does my help come from?</span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" > My help comes from the LORD,<br /> the Maker of heaven and earth.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" > He will not let your foot slip—<br /> he who watches over you will not slumber;</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ps 121:1-3</span></p></span></div><div><br /></div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-26446962311373634302010-09-15T07:03:00.000-07:002010-09-15T07:08:39.808-07:00Pottytraining Standstill (dun, dun, dun)I would say that Josiah is 80% pottytrained. If we are out and I'm consistent it taking him he does GREAT. And he's 100% going poo on the potty - w/ or w/o underwear on. When we are home & he's naked he is probably 90 - 95% but when he's got underwear on - forget about it! I think we both just get busy w/ the day and forget! But the lights will click for him one of these days ... <div><br /></div><div>The last few days he's been a little stinker by peeing whenever he feels like it ... even if his potty is RIGHT there! It used to be that he would have an accident and I would "find it" now he's been going and telling me about it!! I can't wait for this to be over so I can get my carpets steam cleaned and move on!</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I probably started him a bit on the young side - would be easier to train them when they are 2 1/2 or 3 - like I did Ellie, but I was just done w/ diapers and having him poo in the toilet is a WAY better trade off!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-37915331177388169402010-09-10T05:58:00.000-07:002010-09-23T07:46:18.981-07:00the Boba Organic 2G<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCofkNGU2UFyA6zoOCrut5rtSdEzFXyFCHSDSFrix1PqjvfeNeuk_qMJVABN59Z9SpQdh04YKVZF3feY1h2VZSavH056rjrKGHcOgVYkEAK_iNVT2thWMLZ1Vo6uBGIsZDRsxhexcsNE/s1600/IMG_7298.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCofkNGU2UFyA6zoOCrut5rtSdEzFXyFCHSDSFrix1PqjvfeNeuk_qMJVABN59Z9SpQdh04YKVZF3feY1h2VZSavH056rjrKGHcOgVYkEAK_iNVT2thWMLZ1Vo6uBGIsZDRsxhexcsNE/s320/IMG_7298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520106345869873234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hl_bmnSh_v8RoOmbi-MDWrTyWrnW9l2c3aZ6MPJQopfkBb0Y4Q5TYtCyqoKqyPif9PfDUfZseI2vKMfilNRrHckvJsWe3LN4Cu9sfEgUPewFPsK8y9lxWdE3KV0eGKDp29KjEgiVApM/s1600/IMG_6886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hl_bmnSh_v8RoOmbi-MDWrTyWrnW9l2c3aZ6MPJQopfkBb0Y4Q5TYtCyqoKqyPif9PfDUfZseI2vKMfilNRrHckvJsWe3LN4Cu9sfEgUPewFPsK8y9lxWdE3KV0eGKDp29KjEgiVApM/s320/IMG_6886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520106342941589602" /></a><br />I got to pick out a new baby carrier for my birthday ... the <a href="http://www.heavenlyhold.com/item_614/Boba-Willow-2G.htm">Boba Organic 2G</a>! After having the <a href="http://www.heavenlyhold.com/category_77/Baby-Carriers.htm">Ergo</a> carrier for the past 3 years it was fun to try something new! I chose the Boba mainly because it has the foot-rests for a toddler.<div><br /></div><div>Here are the pluses that I found:</div><div><ul><li>Super comfy ... straps have a lot of padding and make it nice to wear!</li><li>Adjustable buckles that are attached onto the straps. They move up and down easily and won't fall off!</li><li>Adorable, fun designs!</li><li>The hood can come off! A definite plus for those with toddlers who don't need this feature very often.</li><li>The ergo <a href="http://www.heavenlyhold.com/category_79/ERGO-Accessories.htm">accessories</a> also work w/ the Boba. I have the front pouch & backpack. </li><li>Extremely comfortable (did I already mention that?). I have carried up to 40 lbs without "feeling" it. </li><li>My children (3 1/2 and 2) both love it too!</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Cons:</div><div><ul><li>Cannot be used for a brand new baby (unless maybe you use the ergo insert or a blanket to help keep baby in? Didn't try as I don't have a little baby) <i>so perhaps this is not a con</i>?</li><li>Can only be used on the front or the back unlike the ergo which has a side option ... but I honestly have not missed this feature</li><li>Does not have a pocket in the front like the ergo ... I do miss this a little bit</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>As for those foot-rests? Well, I found that they weren't too helpful <i>unless</i> we were going on a hike. Otherwise Josiah doesn't want his foot in them - at all! But they don't get in the way and for the times that we hike I use them, but otherwise ... not so much...of course then there was last night and the boots that are just a tad bit big for Josiah - kept them on perfectly!</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all an AMAZINGLY comfy carrier that I really like and am glad that I have it. We use it all the time (the Ergo has taken a backseat for now) and I would definitely recommend it to others!</div><div><br /></div><div>Where can YOU find this carrier (and others)? Check out my best friend from Junior High (yes, we go <i>that</i> far back) Amber's site, <a href="http://heavenlyhold.com/">Heavenly Hold</a>. She is a knowledge of wealth on all subjects related to baby-wearing and has excellent customer service! She is EVEN selling the <a href="http://www.heavenlyhold.com/item_723/Boba-Classic-Glacier.htm">Boba Classic</a> which is just like the 2G but is a bit less expensive and not organic. Don't settle for the Baby Bjorn ... there is WAY more out there to choose from!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-62363483053484752892010-08-20T07:34:00.000-07:002010-08-20T07:40:51.659-07:00THIS is why my children can't share bedrooms ...Josiah.<div><br /></div><div>My son "sings" himself to sleep. And the last 3 nights he has fallen asleep on the ground. I've been able to transfer him to his bed on two of the nights but last night I couldn't even open the door to get to him! </div><div><br /></div><div>Early mornings (usually between 7 and 7:30) he comes out, asks to go pee and then I bring the rocking horse back to his room for him to rock on until his monkey wakes up. This morning I heard him come out of his room so I walked down the hall to intercept him. Instead I watched from the bathroom as he went into our room, grabbed his horse, pulled it down the hall to his room, shut the door and started riding. Yaaay!! He's SO my sweet little boy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gotta LOVE the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HHVQLQ/ref=oss_product">monkey</a> ... eyes closed: it's not time to get out of room, eyes open: come on out!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-41428374726156839122010-08-17T15:38:00.001-07:002010-08-17T15:41:50.464-07:00check out my new blogI'll be the first to admit that this blog has been a bit messy at times. But that's ok!! I've recently begun a blog about my homeschooling experience ... that's right I'm homeschooling my little kiddos! I thought it would be fun to write about my experience as well - and be a bit more "focused". <div><br /></div><div>I will still write down my random thoughts here but I also want to share with you my homeschooling experience so check it out over at "<a href="http://tadalubu-schooling.blogspot.com/">Schooling that shines</a>".</div><div><br /></div><div>tara :)</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-76675071071845238262010-08-15T08:49:00.001-07:002010-08-15T12:10:24.393-07:00a new way to exerciseI find that working out with two kids is near impossible - without a gym membership and/or childcare. I try, I really do, I'll get up at 5:30 3 days a week for pilates - that might go on for a week or a month but eventually I'm burned out. I tried jogging in the stroller with them - I have a flat now and haven't fixed it yet ;) Trying to find time and the energy to do anything in my "spare" time is exhausting and obviously not working!<br /><br />This past Friday we walked to a house 2 miles away to get lemons. A gal who is apart of my freecycle group and was giving them away for free - yaay, lemonade!! We started out w/ Jonathan (the boy I babysit) in the double stroller (not jogger, cuz remember that one has a flat), Josiah riding his "tractor" and Ellie on her trike. 1/4 of a mile into it Josiah decided he was done so I loaded him up and hooked his tractor onto the stroller. 1/2 mile into it Ellie decided she was tired so with one hand I pushed the boys (about 60 - 70 lbs) and pulled Ellie (her bike has a handle on the back). For the remainder of our walk every time we went uphill I pushed and pulled, every time we went downhill I got a break! The last 1/4 mile I had Ellie in the stroller w/ her trike and Josiah's tractor riding along and Josiah on my back - I felt a bit like a pack mule! By the time we got home I felt amazing and ready to get out there again!Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-75963221366071892022010-08-12T20:50:00.000-07:002010-08-13T21:18:39.186-07:00Tornado JoElizabeth was yelling at us from the other room this evening while Chris and I were getting dinner ready. As we made our way to the livingroom we heard a loud "boom". There was Josiah, bottoms off (which is usual since we are potty training) and t-shirt soaked, the portable white board fallen over on the ground, "I hurt myself" he said to Chris as we walked into the room. That was when I heard the water running ... walked into the hallway to see the toothpaste opened, soap out, etc on the ground. Turned the corner to walk into the bathroom. Water POURING out everywhere. Apparently that is why Ellie was yelling for us to come!<div><br /></div><div>10 minutes and 3 beach towels later I had cleaned up the mess, emptied the entire under-the-sink area, including 4 soaked toilet paper rolls & Ellie's container of hair supplies. At least I got a head start in cleaning the bathroom - it was on the agenda for tomorrow anyway!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we ate dinner. The whole time we were eating Josiah was complaining about his tummy hurting. He asked to go pee twice ... the second time he threw up in the hallway. No fever, no other symptoms and he was ravenous right afterwards. Our thoughts are that he drank some of the water, ate some of the toothpaste and maybe even some soap? and then felt "yucky". He certainly keeps us on our toes!</div>Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137299257866361999.post-41139794639258511742010-08-05T15:42:00.000-07:002010-08-05T15:49:06.720-07:00watching movies on the BIG screenToday we went to the movie theater to see <i>Charlottes Web</i> starring Dakota Fanning with Julia Roberts as Charlotte. Our local theater does children's movies twice weekly throughout the summer for free. A few weeks ago we went to see <i>Curious George</i>. The kids LOVED it! Today was equally as fun. Elizabeth did wonderful, of course. Sat in her seat the whole time, eating popcorn and then having a lollipop. I had to take Josiah out twice to go potty (way to go Jo!) and by the last 30 minutes of the movie he just wanted to run around. As SOON as the credits/song came on Josiah ran right up to the front and was dancing his heart out! Ellie soon joined him, which quickly led to them running circles around the middle seats! We were <i>almost</i> the last to leave! It was a very fun outing for us to do together. I'm <i>thinking</i> about taking them to see <i>Muppets in Space</i> next week ... but we'll see!Tara Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11109861350326453477noreply@blogger.com0