October is Here!!!!

I’m super excited that October is here! This is my favorite month as it ends with Halloween. I have way more decorations for Halloween than I do Christmas. It’s the best holiday where you can dress up as crazy as you want and it’s accepted and praised. Plus not to mention all the yummy candy you acquire and eat through out the year. 

Since I love this month and usually host my annual Halloween Spooktacular I am constantly on the look out for great costume ideas, recipes to gross out the kids and just creative spins on this yearly holiday.

My first item for the 2011 Halloween celebration is a great eco-friendly item I would include in the kiddos goddie bags who attend my Spooktacular. SMENCILS!!!!! There are smencils now that not only are Halloween themed but they are 100% recycled made from newspapers and plastic. Some of the smell names are goblin grape, slime lime, pumpkin panic, trick or treat and monster marsh. Fun facts is that 75,000 trees are saved by recycling a single run of the Sunday Times. The kids love these and will go crazy for them. Totally worth $2.50! www.smencils.com

Show Dad How

Now, many of you know that my husband and I just had our first son this summer. Well, on top of that many of our close friends also had their first son’s. It’s like we created a mini club at the same time to meet and now talk about what our babies can do and what adorable thing they did that day.

I know from the role of a mother what my limitations are as a mother and what I can and can not do within a day. But have I really given my husband the opportunity to find his way to being a father? Probably not. I don’t want my husband to fall into the statistic that married fathers spend an average of 6.5 hours per week caring for their kids.

If I keep shielding him from opportunities to hone in on his natural, innate skills being father he may become an “okay” father and be alright with that. I know too many fathers who think or are amazing at everything they try: golf, darts, sex, musical instruments but are fine with being “okay” as a father.

Therefore, today we decided to allow me some alone time at home (to vacuum, do laundry, fold clothes and lastly write this blog) and have my husband take him to work. Now, I’ll be honest I’m still nervous but I know nothing bad will happen and this is the beginning towards grooming my son to be a tag-a-long with his dad and not always want to be a momma’s boy.

But if you’re not ready to let go them I suggest having dad read this book, “Show Dad How” by Shawn Bean a writer from Parenting magazine. It is a guidebook that has easy-to-follow instructions for any possible situation.

Remember, “anyone can be a father; but a dad requires a higher level of dedication, perseverance, and stain remover.

Can your kids tell if you’re lying?

I read in Parenting magazine that kids as young as 4 can tell if someone is lying. But on the other hand they have a harder time determining if information is biased or exaggerated (hence what they see on TV). I had an a-ha moment reading the tips. They are so simple and really make watching TV interactive and a family affair. First, they say watch TV commercials together and poke holes in their claims (pretty much find their faults and un-truths). Second, discuss the concept of reliability. Third, explain and define acquaintances and true peeps. Fourth, encourage and model for you kids to be polite to new people. Finally the fifth  is to always to be a sounding board, when they aren’t sure of something to know they can come to you for answers.

I think that times have changed since I was a kid and we have moved away from playing the alphabet game, license plate game, punch buggy etc in the car. Now, we are texting, listening to our ipods, playing angry birds etc. No one is really communicating and modeling the expectations to be a respectful citizen in our society as well as questioning everything we deem to be to good to be true.

That’s enough time on my soap box. Let me know if you like my stance and how you might incorporate some of these into your daily routine with your family. I really enjoy feedback!

Watchin’ Bitchin’ Kitchen

If you get the Cooking Channel you’ve got to check out Bitchin’ Kitchen with Nadia G and her odd friends. This is a unique and qwirky kind of cooking show. Just to begin with Nadia’s recipes are simple but with a rockin’ twist. She’s the whole bitchin’ package from cooking, huge personality, rocking the look and interesting friends!
I LOVE Nadia and her accent confuses me. If I keep watching her daily I’m going to eventually get her accent it’s contagious!

Skull-Tastic Apparel

While reading one of my many magazines themed for October I came across these super cute Skull themed items for not just boys but girls, too!

Rocker Belt  ($15;ladybugsandlullabies.ca)

okutani hat ($10; psychobabyonline.com)

Boot Covers ($22; cuff-cakes.com)

Snugli Baby Carrier ($50; Wal-Mart)

Skull Hoodie ($13; Paul Frank)

Dog Hoodie ($12.99; ioffer.com)

Rock Star Baby

I am always on the look out for really cool and edgy baby boy clothes. It’s difficult to find boys clothing that isn’t covered in safari animals. Not that lions and tigers aren’t cute but I want my boy’s clothes to be edgy and hardcore not soft and cuddly. On that note I found a great website for both boys and girls who like to wear rock star themed outfits. It is www.rockstarbabyshop.com this company was started by Tico Torres, the drummer from Bon Jovi.  When Tico found out he was having a son he hoped to find hip baby and toddler clothes, but he was disappointed with the lack of variety. Instead there was and still is plenty of pastels, but where were the hip grays, blacks and whites? They were non-existent! So Tico created the line for babies and toddlers of soft cotton, high quality and timeless cuts to begin his rockstarbaby collection by combining rock’n’roll and tradition.

This entire collection includes onesies, binkies, binky holders, bibs, socks, blanket, towels, more textiles, glasses, shoes, furniture and rugs.

These are my favs:

Away with Summer budget and Hello Fall Budget

Now that Summer has come and gone, which seems like a blink of an eye it’s time to go back to my budget and re-analyze my spending limits to ensure I accomplish what I hope to for the rest of 2011.

Step 1: Restart my budget

Step 2: Claim control of my cash and amp up my savings plan

Step 3: Step up my retirement plans and life insurance policies

Step 4: Come up with a will (now that I am a mother)

Sucker!

Well, my son is now 11 weeks and it’s been an amazing roller coaster ride so far! I love each and every moment with him. He’s beginning to recognize who is his mom and dad from all of our relatives and friends. He’s even gone to the point of screaming uncontrollably until myself or my husband hold him.

So, case in point— it’s a Tuesday night and my mother is over to watch my son so I can go work out. Usually, before I go we both give him a bath so he will be calm and easily fall asleep for a bit while I’m gone. By the way, he LOVES bath time, he’s a total water kiddo. Anyhow, I put him down to undress him and get him ready for bath time. He is screaming his head off, like I’m hurting him or something. I pick him up walk towards the bath tub and wouldn’t you know it that little stinker immediately stops and has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen and giggles all at the same time.

                                    My son has just successfully played me and all at 9 weeks when he first did this! I  never thought I’d be duped by him so soon! It’s all good though because he is just so darn cute!

NO More Afro!

Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Serum:

Remarkable serum that doesn’t leave your hair/scalp oily. I used to always use mousse in my hair when I wanted it curly but since I was given this product by a friend of mine who is African American I will never go back to mousse. I like the feel of my hair smooth and not crunchy.

My son is a California Baby!

My son has sensitive skin and eczema on his cheeks so there is no other brand that I trust more for his skin. The Shampoo and Body Wash is tear free and all organic. My son enjoys these bubble bath aromatherapy scents and even more since there is a bubble maker wand in each of them. I even used these for my husband when he was sick and took a bath.

www.californiababy.com