Four On The Farm: The CD

Well, if you read the previous post, you know we had a farm-themed party for Ellie's fourth birthday this year. Now you too can share in the fun with the Four On The Farm mixed CD from our party. Click on the liner notes to read the songs we chose, and then go download your songs at iTunes.

























CD design by daddy (a.k.a. Cooper Design Company)!

Disney Day 1

Disney is a great destination for kids and parents alike. So when Dave suggested Disney World for our first family vacation since Jonah was born, I was all for it. We went a couple years ago with my parents and sister. Ellie was about two and we have such incredible memories from that trip.

Well, we recently got back from sunny Florida and there are many pictures to show and many memories to share. Some of those memories are good and some...well, I'll get to them through the posts. The posts are broken into days so you're more than welcome to come along for the ride.

Disney Day 1

We had a short flight from BWI to MCO and it was a smooth flight. Jonah sat on our laps and fought sleep. At one point Dave said, "It's okay, go night-night." Jonah shook his head and replied, "No, no, no."

When we arrived in Orlando, I was happy that we wore shorts and tees for the day. We took a bus to our resort (Disney All-Stars Movies) and check in was a breeze. As we went through the building to get to our room, we heard (rather loudly I might add) the construction. They were in the middle of digging up the only kiddie pool on the resort. Paving the way for progress put a kink in my plan to go swimming with the kiddies but I was still excited to be there—even if it was obnixously loud.

We briefly checked out the room and then headed off to the Magic Kingdom. Ellie made sure to unpack her hat from the messenger bag she used as carry-on and proudly wore it. First stop, the Dumbo ride!

Four On The Farm

October is a busy month. Vacations, grandmothers' birthdays, Halloween—costume making and all. But the definite highlight this year, like every year occurs mid-month when we celebrate Ellie's birthday.

This year, we had our best birthday party for her yet. The best because it was a destination party so there wasn't the usual prep to clean the house, plan the activities, prepare the food, make decorations all culminating in a massive clean up. This year, we could just sit back, relax and enjoy.

The weather was perfect for visiting the petting farm, riding horses, enjoying a hayride and pumpkin-pickin' (if you've been reading October's posts you know I love my pumpkin pickin'). Ellie even managed to squeeze in a game of leap-frog with friends.

Art Exhibit

The kids, Dave and myself made it out to Uncle Ryan's art exhibit last week. It was exciting to take the kids to their first gallery event. While they enjoyed the culture, I think the crackers and cookies were a hit as well.

Bediboo Carries EBK

Bediboo now carries the Ellie Bellie Kids line! Not only do they carry the latest & greatest products for uber cool kids and moms, they also have $5 flat rate shipping. Who can beat that?

More Pumpkin Patch Pictures

Pumpkin Pickin'

I love the pumpkin patch.

It's true. The thought of all those little orange globes in a sea of green and amber make me a little giddy. Throw in some warm apple cider and a hayride and I've reached total nirvana.

This love for getting straw in the nooks of my clothes and debating what qualities make the perfect pumpkin is something I want to pass down to my kids. So, every year we make going to the pumpkin patch a family affair. Dave and I were in the pumpkin patch when I was 40 weeks pregnant with Ellie. We rode in the back of a tractor with my parents as Dave and I exchanged glances and giggles about our secret that I was pregnant with Jonah. And Dave and I have traipsed through mud and vines to scout out the perfect first pumpkin for each of our little babies.

Today was no exception. While we didn't have any secrets to keep this year, we did marvel at the way our kids enjoyed bouncing around in the back of a tractor bed, negotiated the thick green vines to find their pumpkin and had a ball in a huge maze of straw bales.

Yes, I truly love the pumpkin patch.

Make Your Own Mei Tai

A couple weeks ago, I was inspired to make a Mei Tai to carry J-man around. He's a hefty guy but I thought what the heck, at least he wouldn't be sitting in a cart touching the grubby and germy handles while we shopped. So if you've got access to a sewing machine, go ahead and give one a try. It's totally doable so don't be intimidated. Hey, even I could do it...and that's probably saying a lot right there! Do note: when the instructions talk about making the straps wide, do it. I didn't thinking I was somehow smarter than the instructions. Well I'm not. The wider straps make it much more comfortable to wear. You'll thank me later.

Click Here for Instructions

But if you're not feeling ambitious, you can always find tons of them online. Catbird Baby is one place that springs to mind. They get a lot of good press and their designs are very cool.

Either way you slice it, you'll be happy to ride the wave of the growing popularity of the mei tai! It's washable (hooray), easy to pack (yippee) and super easy to use (woo hoo). I've run out of noises to make so I'll just leave you with this—it's a great addition to your babywear collection. Enjoy!

Picture of the Moment

My Shopping Companion

You know what? I like to shop. It's true and I don't deny it. And while I largely limit myself to window shopping I don't consider that a handicap. Gazing at all the lovely and new products on the market. Diving into a deep state of bliss eyeing up the new seasons prints and colors. Soaking in that feeling of self-satisfaction finding that elusive item that everyone will be talking about. Yeah, shopping for me is an escape from the everyday dealings with poop and reality.

Of course, shopping is always better with a buddy. My buddy is Dave. And I freely admit, he is a terrific shopper. Now he does not enjoy the traditional shopping experience as much as me (looking through racks of clothes, digging in piles of bins for a great item at a total bargin). Nor does he get all tingly when he sees a Sale sign. But aside from these minor defects, he still retains the status of: the friend I call when I want to do a little shopping.

So last night as we were doing a little online shopping for some tees for him and the kids, I had to smile at that glimmer of delight spread across his face when he found Ramones tee-shirts for the kids. Yeah, that's my guy and I wouldn't have it any other way.