Time to retire...

Thank you to all those of you who have contributed in any way to this blog. We've decided to retire it. This blog has had its phases of success, but I think that time has passed. Families have grown and life has become progressively busier. Thank you again and goodbye to Sugar and Spice!

Product Review

Okay Ladies, I'm just wonderin'...

What bath & body (not necessarily the actual store) item do you just love that you are willing to splurge on for yourself?

Lip Gloss? Shampoo? Foot scrub? Mascara...the ideas are endless.

Please share.

Wednesday Weekly

Name one thing that has gone well for you so far this week.

Wednesday Weekly

What creatures did you have to disect when you were in school?

Frozen Dinners

I have been horrible with making dinners. I decided to get together with a friend and make a bunch of meals to freeze that I can use later. I am wondering if people could share some ideas and recipes of meals that freeze well. Thanks ladies!

Do you have a Wii?

What are your family's favorite games for Nintendo Wii?

Cutest Halloween aprons ever!

If you or someone you know loves Halloween, you've got to check out these adorable aprons my Mom has made and is selling on Etsy. Check out her new shop by clicking here!! Sooooo cute!

Anyone up for another round of "Biggest Loser"?

It has been awhile since our last Sugar and Spice Biggest Loser and I was wondering if anyone is up for another round. I am really struggling to stay motivated to exercise and eat healthy and lose the last 10 or so pounds of baby weight. I had so much fun doing Biggest Loser with you girls and it was helpful to me to report to someone each week. If you would be interested in participating, let me know!!

Continuing the "best ofs"...

What has been your favorite TV show of 2010 so far?

My Me time

Have any of you seen that commercial where different people say "My Me time is when....." I think it might be a McDonald's commercial, but I'm not sure. I guess that tells you how effective advertising is on me.

Anyway, I was thinking today how different my "Me" time has become since I've had children. My Me time tends to be when my baby is down for a nap and my preschooler is in the bathtub. (I don't just leave her unsupervised in the tub. Our house is small and I can hear her splashing and playing away in there!) Anyway, I actually get excited to have uninterrupted time to do a workout video, read some emails, or today-mop the floor. Not exactly what I would have considered Me time 5 years ago!

So I'm curious, what's your Me time???

Wednesday Weekly

Have you completed any Christmas shopping yet for Christmas 2010?

My best 2010 creation

I don't create crafts, art, etc. I totally admire it, but it's not my thing. But I did create something pretty darn cute this year:

Best 2010 creation

What is the best thing you have created so far in 2010? Post pics if you wish!!

Wednesday Weekly

What are two of your favorite sports teams?

Best advice

What is the best piece of advice you have received so far in 2010?

Favorite 2010 Recipe

This one is YUMMY! We look for any opporunity to share it with friends and neighbors too.

BAKED CREAMY CHICKEN TAQUITOS

1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken
1 C grated pepperjack cheese

small corn tortillas (and actually, flour ones are really good as well)
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it's soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge. Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or are coming unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Then roll it up as tight as you can.

Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on top.

Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

Wednesday Weekly

Do you consider yourself more of a cat person or a dog person?

Turkey Tortilla Soup

This was a great recipe to use with leftover turkey. The tomato and avocado garnish really made it super tasty. Tortilla chips too. Here's the recipe from allrecipes.com

Best of 2010 Jerk Chicken

My Mom tried this for a Sunday dinner and it was an instant classic!!

1 cup bottled jerk sauce, DIVIDED

2 cups sliced yellow onion

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper

6 cloves of garlic, chopped

8 skinless chicken breasts (with bones)

8 skinless chicken thighs (with bones)

vegetable oil cooking spray

1 cup beer (we used grapefruit juice-get creative! :)

6 Tbsp. ketchup

2 Tbsp. tabasco

garnish-green onions

Combine 1/2 cup of the jerk sauce with the onion, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic in a large plastic bag and add chicken. Marinate chicken in fridge 8 hours to overnight, turning occasionally.

Remove chicken from bag, discarding marinade. Lightly spray both sides of the chicken with cooking spray. Combine remaining 1/2 cup jerk sauce, beer/juice, ketchup and tabasco. Grill chicken until no longer pink, turning several times, frequently basting with sauce.

This was so tasty!

We served it with Cilantro Lime Rice

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup basmati rice

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Saute 2 minutes on medium heat

Add:

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. lime juice

Bring all to a boil.

Cover and cook on low 15 minutes. Serve with zest of lime and 1/2 cup cilantro chopped.

Best new recipe you've tried in 2010

Please share in a comment or post!

Wednesday Weekly

If you could be a spokesperson for any product, which would you choose?

May the "Best ofs" begin!

What is the best movie you've seen this year (rental or in theatres)?

Sibling Rivalry

Help! My children are ages 3 yrs 9 mos. and infant. My daughter (the three year old) was initially so excited about her baby sister. She still talks adoringly about her, and to her. However, in the past week or so I've noticed some newfound aggression. She has been a lot more rough with her, including most recently, biting her finger...hard. So hard that my poor baby screamed the loudest, most heart wrenching scream I've ever heard from her. For a few moments I saw red when I realized what my daughter did. I am at a total loss about what to do. It's pretty obvious that it's for attention, but how can I not give her attention when she does things like that? Biting obviously called for a punishment. I've tried talking to her about how it's her job as a big sister to protect her, not hurt her. I've tried the usual time-outs and taking away privileges. I know this is not a rare problem. Does anyone have a solution that works?

Halfway through the year!

Hey spice sistahs--

We're halfway through 2010 already. It feels kind of crazy to me, especially since I started out the year with a newborn baby and now, all of a sudden, I have a huge almost-6-month old.

Anyway, in the coming weeks, look for posts asking you to share some of your best and most successful ideas that you've used so far in 2010. You can respond in a comment or (if you are a contributor) in a post if you would like more space to share your idea.

Do you have some ideas for me to use in these "best of 2010 (so far)" posts? Here are some examples of ideas that I have:

Best Family Home Evening activity idea
Best new recipe you tried out
Best Rainy Day Activity

Please add to my list! And watch out for upcoming "Best of" posts!

Linz

Wednesday Weekly

List five things you are really good at!!

Wednesday Weekly

Are you seeing "Eclipse" in theatres? When are you going (if you haven't already seen it at midnight!!!) and with whom are you seeing it?

Wednesday Weekly

If you were a teacher, what subject would you teach?

Meal Sharing

What's your favorite meal that you've received or given as a gift of compassionate service in your ward? (ie birth of a baby, post surgery, funeral, etc.)

Looking for great ideas to share!

Wednesday Weekly

Do you have a name for your car? If so, what is it?

Hey Lost Fans

What did you think of the finale?

Only read comments if you've watched it already!

traveling with toddlers

We are leaving in a week to visit some family and join my husband on a business trip, and it is going to involve a LOT of traveling in the car. Like 30-40 hours for the two week trip. I am borrowing my mother's portable DVD player and will check out some new library books and DVDs before we leave. However, I know my girls (2 and 3 years) will be bored out of their minds. What have you found to be helpful while traveling with little ones for long distances?

Neverending Topic!

I know we have had TONS of posts on potty training but I need to vent and get any other advice that is out there. My son will be 4 in August and we have tried potty training several times. He is very stubborn and it never worked. Well almost 4 weeks ago i decided to just buckle down and do it. So he has been in underwear for almost 4 weeks straight and still only goes to the bathroom when I make him. He has accidents when i forget to remind him. Which usually happens at least daily. Plus he always starts out pooping in his underwear and finishes on the potty. When he has an accidents his punishment has been he has to go on the potty 3 times before he can play computer. That doesn't seem to be working though. He just doesn't care. I don't really want to do punishments for bathroom because then it makes it even more of a battle but rewards don't work on him. He just tells me he doesn't want the said reward because he would rather not put the effort in to use the bathroom. I am literally losing my mind and quite honestly falling into a depressed funk over this. Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated at this moment!

Wednesday Weekly

What is the first thing you do in the morning when you get out of bed?

Couponing in MI

A good friend of mine is trying to figure out how to do coupon shopping in MI and save. In Utah I have an awesome program at the click of my finger tips and I am wondering if anyone knows of anything in MI and if they would be willing to email her and help her kind of get started. Also if anyone is in Utah on June 5th at 10am I am hosting a savvyshopperdeals.com class. It is just an informative class to help you learn how to save using coupons. If your interested I am in Orem and can give you more details.

Time Again for Service Boot Camp...You've Been Drafted!

Hi Ya'll - I am organizing a fun service opportunity on my blog. We will be making handmade journals for The Write It Out Project. The journals then are given to women who have lost their spouses to war to help them through the grieving process.

I have posted a very easy tutorial showing you how to make these journals on my blog. Please come check it out, and I hope that you will join me in making these journals.

I am also putting together a big giveaway, and everyone who participates in the service project will be entered to win! So come on over!

Wednesday Weekly

How many bones have you broken in your life?

Check Out This Giveaway

Only 90 minutes left to enter this giveaway, but if any of you are still online, I highly suggest checking it out!

http://cedelperkins.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-stuff-friday-my-first-giveaway.html

Wednesday Weekly

How long does it take you to fold a load of laundry??

recipes

I try to feed my kids a wide variety of foods to keep them from getting picky. Lately, however, I am running out of healthy ideas. I was wondering if any of you have cookbooks or recipe websites that are more "natural" that you love. Or just healthy recipes in general that you and your kids love. I mainly struggle with lunch and snack ideas. Thanks!

It's Raining its Pouring

This website gives me endless ideas when I am in a rut and can't entertain my 2 year old with his mounds of toys and books. Perfect for a rainy day (though there are fewer and fewer of those this time of year).

FamilyEducation

Wednesday Weekly

What topic(s) of conversation put you "on a soapbox"?

Time Out for Women: Hope

Have any of you been to a Time Out for Women?

They're put on by Deseret Book and it's like EFY or Youth Conference for Mom's. I have wanted to go to one for a while and missed several opportunities, so when it came to a town three hours away, my sister in law and I packed up and had a girl's weekend!! It was wonderful and I highly recommend it!

I wanted to share one of the talks that really struck a chord with me. I have been really struggling with patient parenting with my four year old. I went to this conference with a prayer that I would hear something that would help me. It came from the speaker who I didn't expect or know anything about and is now my favorite!! Read more about Emily Watts here.

She spoke about "mother hopes". First, she joked about the things we should just give up hope on right now!!

1. sleeping through the night ever again!

2. being in charge!

3. having something nice of your own that the kids won't destroy!

Then she spoke of the "mother hopes" that she hoped we would never give up on:

1. The hope that your children can progress. That one day, they will learn, grow and improve. The years fly by even if the days don't.

2. The hope that this work that we are engaged in is WORTH it! She encouraged us to have faith not just in the doctrine of motherhood but that it applies to ME!

3. The hope that someone who is smarter than you and a better parent than you is ready to help right now! Heavenly Father's help comes just in time! He knows how to parent perfectly!

I was so touched by her humor and her devotion to motherhood that I just wanted to share with you the thoughts that have given me a bit more hope lately.

LDS clip art?

Does anyone have good suggestions of where to go on the web for free LDS visual aides including clip art and gospel art for us in callings?

Wednesday Weekly

If you could possess one super power, what would it be?

Recipes tried and true

Hello to all! I wanted to share my friend's cooking blog. She tests all kinds of recipes with variations and gives helpful creative tips in the kitchen! Its always nice when someone has tested and tried a recipe first to find out if its any good, right? She's a fan of healthy yet cost efficient (Costco shopper) foods so I figured we would all be interested. Enjoy and hope this helps in the kitchen!

sweetandsavorytooth.com

New Member: Naomi

Hello Sugar and Spice,

My name is Naomi and I was invited to this blog several months ago, maybe even a year ago. My introduction post is long over due but motherhood does that to you. Its one of the perks really. So here's a little about myself and my interests.

I was born and raised in Michigan. While studying nursing in college, I met my husband and we were married in 2005. I worked as a nurse for a little over a year before baby #1 came into the picture. We now have two sons, a 2yr old and a 2mo old. I stay at home currently, but hope to return to school to get a doctorate in Nursing as soon as my hubby is done with his residency program.

I enjoy cooking (mostly baking treats), art and painting, scrapbooking, photography (a new hobby I hope to invest time in eventually), and running. I am no good at sewing I realized after making my first son's baby blanket. Someday I'll work myself up to trying again, but for now its too frustrating. I also don't have an eye for coordinating home decore...but I hope, through this blog, to be able to feel more inspired to try new things again and again until they've been added to my talents and hobby list.

This blog is wonderful and I wish I had more time to read and comment. I will try to be better at contributing now that I've introduced myself!

Wednesday Weekly

If you could be a character in any novel, who would you be?

Hypnobirthing

Has anyone heard of this? Have you tried hypnobirthing techniques yourself or do you know of anyone who has. I am interested in trying this for my next delivery -- in about 4 months -- and I'd love to hear anyone's experience. I have read through my copy of a hypnobirthing book, I think some of the views are a little hoaky, even hippy-ish, but I do like the idea of self relaxation to prepare for and use during delivery.

Giveaway

Doing a giveaway with some new hairbows I started making. Come enter my giveaway and you could win 3 of these adorable bows! Entering ends on Monday April 5 at noon!
http://schacherfamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/hairbow-giveaway.html

Wednesday Weekly

What is your favorite genre of movies?

Wednesday (pretty much Thursday) Weekly

What is the best beauty secret/tip anyone has ever given you?

Good Things For You: An Easter Giveaway

Hi there, friends. It's been forever since I've weighed in here on this blog...that's mostly because I've been working hard on my personal blog and just busy with the day-in and day-out of being a Mom!

But I wanted to let you know that I am doing a Great Easter Giveaway over at my blog. So please come on over and check it out. There will be NINE WINNERS chosen next Wednesday, March 24th. Come check out all of the great prizes...they are all hand-made and Easter-themed. I really love this Resurrection Puzzle that is up for grabs...hand-made by one of my readers! The pieces stand up to make sort of a Nativity Scene...only telling the story of Christ's Resurrection! Could be yours...just come over to enter and win!

From now until Easter, I'll also be posting great ideas to teach your children the true meaning of EAster. Also check out my version of the 12 Days of Easter Activity.

There's a kid in my bed!!!

Ok so my 3 year old son sleeps in my bed. He falls asleep in my bed and then I move him to his bed. In the middle of the night he comes back into my bed. It actually doesn't really bother me that much but it really irritates my husband. He has started making lots of comments about it and so i think I need to train him to sleep all night in his own bed. We have tried talking to him about it and even bribed him but he doesn't care. Tonight I told him I would buy him the Toy Story lego set he wants if he sleeps in his own bed all night tonight and he said, "no thats not a good idea. Listen, I sleep in your bed and then get a toy." He just won't have it! I need help. Someone please have ideas or things that have worked for them!

Wednesday Weekly

Are you wearing green today?

Considering Aflac.

Just wondering if anyone here on Sugar & Spice has every considered or actually used Aflac Insurance with any of their pregnancies? I had a co-worker who did and seemed to have a good experience. I know there's a 10 month rule, gotta be paying the premium 10 months before giving birth, otherwise the coverage is void.

Anyone ever gone this route? What are your thoughts?

Wednesday Weekly

What is the best part about winter coming to an end?

Beautiful Baby

If you have a moment, a few kleenex (or an entire box) and want to read the most amazing birth story and see photos of the most beautiful baby girl I think I have ever seen, read this. I promise you will not regret it.

Wednesday Weekly

What grade do you remember being your favorite in school (K-12)?

Weight Watchers

I am starting weight watchers and was wondering if others on here have done it. I would love favorite low point meals, snacks, treats etc.! Also tips and ideas to help with losing weight would be great! If anyone wants to follow my weight loss blog this is the link http://susanislosingweight.blogspot.com. Let me know if you have one too!

Toddlers and Music

I know there are several of you on here who are musically talented, so I'm hoping you can help me out! My (almost!) three year old is very into music. She loves to sing and play around on the piano. Are there any things I can do to help her begin to learn the basics of playing piano and learning to sing? If the best thing I can do for her is to just let her bang around on the piano, that's fine! But if there are things I can be doing to help her start learning the notes and how to read music, I'd love to help her.

Baby carriers/wraps

I'm expecting my 2nd in 3 weeks and we'd like a carrier or a wrap for him. We had one for our first, but it was second hand, and I couldn't get her out of it by myself so I never used it. Now it seems there are so many different products out there! Wraps, slings, and carriers of all different price levels. What is everyone's recommendation on what to buy? And what do you like and dislike?

Wednesday Weekly

Which Winter Olympic sport do you enjoy watching the most?

Diaper deals

Ok, I know some of you are excellent bargain shoppers, so I was wondering if anyone knew the best deals/places to get the Pampers Newborn swaddlers? When my daughter was a little older, I switched to cheaper diapers, but I've found these are the best ones for newborns. I want to start stocking up now, so I don't have to buy them all at once. I am realizing that I wasn't very good at using coupons and paying attention to sales with baby #1. I'd like to think I'm a little more thrifty now, but correct me if I'm wrong-it doesn't seem like the newborn swaddlers ever go on sale? I do have some manufacturer coupons for Pampers. Which stores have the best regular prices?

Vote for My Girls- Round 2

Its time! Round two (the final round) of the photo contest I entered Cecelia and Eva into is here. Go to http://www.whattoexpect.com/photo-contest/vote.aspx?contestId=26 to place your vote. Our entry is a black and white photo of Cecelia hugging Eva. The caption above the photo says "Eva". Thank you, thank you for your votes!!

The Stroller issue for two kids

We are having our second child in a few months. My oldest turns four in September. At this point I am opting not to spend the money on a double stroller. My logic is that the baby will be small enough this summer to wear in a sling or front carrier. By next year when it's nice enough, my daughter will be 4 1/2. I am assuming that if I am places that require a lot of walking, where my daughter might get tired, like the zoo or something, that it would be a family event and my husband would be with me. Therefore we could just take the regular stroller and an umbrella stroller which we already have.

So there, that is my logic. If you disagree though, and you loved having a double stroller, or it's something you couldn't live without, then tell me! And if that's the case, what kind of stroller do you have that you love?

Wednesday Weekly

Have you ever won anything? Contest? Raffle? Pageant? Anything?

Valentines Day

What types of things do you do for your kids on Valentines Day?
What are you doing for your Hubby?

Vote for my Girls!

I entered the girls in a photo contest on What to Expect. The grand prize- a Moby wrap, which I really want for babywearing Eva. If you have a minute, go to http://www.whattoexpect.com/photo-contest/vote.aspx?contestId=26&page=1 to vote. You may have to scroll through the three pages of entries to find us as the picture keeps moving. It is a black and white photo of the girls snuggling, and it is titled Eva. Thanks for your vote!

"Lost"ies

My sister is crazy amazing at noticing things in Lost episodes that I could never ever catch and analyzing what happens in each episode. If you're interested, here's her latest blog post.

For Those of You Who Love Writing

Hello, it's Lisa! Most of you probably don't even know who I am, it's been so long since I checked up on this cute little blog. I'm sorry! I really haven't done much blogging at all lately, ever since the arrival of child #2 and our move across the country from Florida to Arizona last summer. My husband is now at his first job as a dentist and I am getting used to dealing with his long work hours, living in a new place, meeting new people and picking up new interests, along with the inevitably hard-going adjustment to being a mother of two. Phew! Sometimes I wonder how my head has stayed on straight.

Anyway, one thing I wanted to share with you ladies is a writing group I recently joined. Since you all like blogging, I thought maybe that meant some of you enjoy writing as well. This group, called ANWA (American Night Writers Association) is exclusively for Latter-day Saint women who enjoy writing.

There is a whole spectrum of ANWA members, from those who want to write and publish novels or childrens' books, to poets or editors, to those who just like writing in their journals (or blogs!). Authors like Stephenie Meyer and Aprilynne Pike used to be in this group, as well as others who are still in it like Janette Rallison. ANWA is an excellent forum to just learn more about writing and get motivated to work on and share your own writing talents.

The way it works is you join a chapter that is in your area--or online if there is no chapter near enough to you--and you meet with that chapter (in real life or via chat room) once a month. You also get a monthly newsletter, opportunities to attend annual conferences, and access to their yahoo! groups emails, which contain a lot of fun and interesting information. For more information, visit their website at http://anwa-lds.com/. It does cost $20 a year to join.

Writing has always been something I enjoy but tend to put on the back-burner, and since joining this organization I have been really inspired to start writing more. I have even begun to write my first novel, something I never thought I'd have the guts or work ethic to do. :) Talking to other sisters who write novels on a regular basis has made me realize how much of a reality it truly can be. Hooray for ANWA! Just one more delicious topping on the blessings cake of being a member of our church!

Wednesday Weekly

What is your favorite TV show to watch right now?

Chores for Toddlers

I've been browsing the Simple Mom site and borrowing some of her ideas for simplifying and organizing my life. One of the things I read about on there is chore charts for toddlers. I've been thinking about this for a few months now... Cecelia is almost three and I definitely feel as though she is old enough to start doing some chores. I want to do what Simple Mom does and give her a sticker on a sticker chart for doing them and at the end of each week she gets a nickle for each sticker. Then she can set aside 10% for tithing, 10% for saving and the rest can go in a jar for spending.

My problem is, I can't come up with a list of chores for her!! I want them to be things that she can do somewhat independently, for example, picking up her toys before nap time and before bedtime each day. I also am planning to include helping me empty the dishwasher and feeding the fish. I will have to help her with those things a little bit- more like, she'll be helping me, but I want her to begin to learn responsibility for animals and I'd also like her to be learning to help with chores that benefit the whole family.

So help me out! Do you have ideas for other chores that a three year old would be capable of doing?

Wednesday Weekly

What is your favorite snack?

Blog for Primary Choristers

I started a blog for primary choristers last night. I'll be sharing what I use in my ward for the Primary and Nursery children. Please feel free to share the link with a Primary Chorister you know!

Music for Munchkins

http://www.musicforldsmunchkins.blogspot.com/

the big green monster

My almost four year old is jealous.

She is jealous of my eighteen month old.

I am not sure what I did wrong but I'm exasperated!

I hear people talk about how their kids love their new baby siblings and then I am jealous too! My daughter asked me one day when Lucy can go back in my tummy!!!! She takes her toys and shuts her in her room. If Lucy is in my lap, Meg climbs up and tries to push Lucy off and get on my lap. It goes on and on! They of course have their good moments too. Every morning Meg climbs into bed with us and snuggles, just her. She's often up later than Lucy too, and she gets me to herself during quiet time. So I don't think we're neglecting the girl!

I just feel like I missed some key element where my girls know that I love each of them. Equally.

How do you do it?

Wednesday Weekly

How do you like to pronounce "Aunt"?

Ant or Ahnt?

Tots and Tithing

This year at tithing settlement, our branch president encouraged us to start having our three year old pay tithing, even if it was just a dime here and there. We actually hadn't even started giving her an allowance, or money for doing chores or anything yet. We put money in her savings account, but she hasn't really been a part of it. So, last night for FHE we talked about tithing, then decorated a money jar by covering it in paper and coloring it, and adding ribbon and embellishments. (I was too cheap to buy a piggy bank, and I figured this way we had an activity to go with FHE!)

Anyway, to illustrate the concept of 10 percent, I gave her 10 dimes and then had her put one in a tithing envelope. But since then, I've been trying to figure out how it will actually work when I give her money from here on out. If I give her a random quarter for doing a chore, I can't really have her pay 2.5 cents in her tithing envelope. And it's not realistic that I'll always have ten dimes or ten pennies on me. Plus, I want to make it as simple as possible for a three year old, without having her make change, etc. Should we just wait til she has a few dollars saved, then pay tithing? For those of you that have started doing this, what works for you?

Books and preschoolers

We've had nightly book time since my oldest was just weeks old. Lately she has wanted to skip it all together. I can't blame her. Some of the books we've read for over 3 years. We check out library books from time to time to try and spice things up, but still, I think she views it more as interesting to babies (her 19 month old sister absolutely LOVES book time). I'm lucky enough to just about always have my husband home at night so recently I have read books to our youngest while he goes in my oldest's room and they tell stories to one another. I think storytelling is awesome too, but I just don't want my 3 year old to lose her love for books. Any suggestions on books, authors, etc. for the 3+ crowd? When do you start reading chapter books to your kids? Any other thoughts?

Pop Quiz: Rate your clutter factor.

1 - No Clutter
2 - Acceptable Clutter
3 - Getting Edgy - Too Much Clutter
4 - Can't Function - Way Too Much Clutter
5 - Christmas Happened, Clutter Has Taken Over the House

I started the week at a 5 and am thankfully getting down to a 2 or 3. I'm not sure if a 1 is ever attainable. How are you doing on finding room for all of that stuff?

(Late) Wednesday Weekly

Do you have a New Year's resolution to share? Happy 2010!

A new blog

My friend and I are made a blog called Suprising Our Men in 2010! I would invite you to come check it out. The whole idea is to each day do something big or small for our husbands to help strengthen our relationships and put some of the magic back in our marriages. Come check it out and if you have ideas of things we can do please let me know!! http://surprisingourmen.blogspot.com/