And Then...we're ready for fun!

My middle son, Luke, is turning 4 in about a week. I am organizing a birthday party for him, and inviting his class. This will be his first *real* birthday party, so I want to make sure he has a lot of fun!

I asked my friend Darcy from And Then... to create something special for his party. If you've never seen Darcy's shop, then you NEED to check it out! She creates awesome craft kits for kids, and the best part is that everything, and I mean everything is included.

Darcy created this awesome caterpillar kit for Luke's party, and I just got it today.

You have got to see it!

First, we have a plastic shoe box sized container, personalised just for Luke:
Inside that container we found this super cute birthday card, just for Luke! He was thrilled to find this!

Here are each of the craft kits, individually packaged. All I have to do is give each child one of the plastic bags:

Each bag is ALSO personalised. Luke just LOVES seeing his name on all of the little bags!

Darcy even provided the paint, sponge brushes and little dixi cups for the paint. She thought of everything:

This is seriously cute, and seriously easy! I'm almost excited to have 12 three and four year olds painting in my back yard. Almost. :0)

If you have kids, or know someone who has kids, you NEED to check out Darcy's shop! You need to! She makes QUALITY time with your kids soooo much easier.

We can't wait to play!!

Thanks, Darcy!

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Written by tiptopsdesigns

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Restraining Order!

Sleeping and Awake Babushka Doll by snollygosters

I think I may start another business. I want to manufacture "fun" ways to keep children in their beds for an entire night.

Lately, my four year old has taken to getting up in the wee hours of the morning and either crawling into the master bed and flailing her limbs every which way, or she sleeps downstairs on the couch. I'm not sure why this all started, and she can't explain it, but it must be stopped! Aside from losing sleep when she's in my bed, it worries me when she's not sleeping in her own. I have to wonder, "what is she getting into?" Maybe she's raiding the refrigerator because she wouldn't eat her dinner, yet again. I don't know, but there has to be a way to keep her in her own bed.

Perhaps making velour covered bungee cords that hook onto either side of the bed across the child? Or maybe turn the bunk bed into a fort. Yeah, Fort Knox. But it will be the other way around and it can't be broken out of. Or perhaps a potent dose of Dramamine and a Kenny G cd. That last one does seem kind of cruel.

In any event, I could take a cue from Bob Ross and call them "Happy Little Restraints" for peace of mind and a good night's sleep. ;oP

Spending Time Painting by kmberggren

Originally Posted 3/18/09 here

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Got Confidence?

Confidence....everyone needs it...lots of people struggle with it...

~As a woman, mother and especially as an entrepreneur - confidence is the foundation we ALL need to the building, that is our life. Most women have strong confidence in specific areas like mothering or cooking and for me its sewing - but lack it in other places like presentation, self ability and for me its decision making, I always second guess my self.

No matter how we feel about 'leading ladies' we can learn TONS from them about self confidence and representation. They make you feel - that they are on top of the world - that they own it even - and WE should omit the same confidence in all aspects of our lives.

I am currently reading the book 'Fabulosity' by Kimora Lee Simons. She is an example of a woman has worked her hardest, since the age of 15, to create a name and image for herself through mountains of adversity- growing up a by-racial child with features that earned her nicknames like 'chinky giraffe' (she was over 6' tall at 13) to name one - to becoming a super model, mogul and multi-business owner - confidence is her middle name.

I'd like to share Kimora's guaranteed top five confidence tips with you today. Im the first to admit that change is hard and it takes lots of repetition before good habits take hold - but we can start to put them into practice to create a Fab Vibe in all our lives.

1. Never say Never : Any time you think you can't - you can't! Whatever you belive and know about yourself is what it's going to be.

2. Fake it 'til you make it: Tell yourself that your great even when some part of you is doubting it.

3. Trust that there is a reason you are there, not someone else: Tell yourself " I'm here because I deserve to be here, not because of chance or some mistake!" (I should have reviewed this one before my meeting this week - LOL!)

4. Believe other peoples confidence in you, even when you don't believe it yourself: when someone compliments you or your efforts say 'Thanks!' not 'well, it's not that great' - or 'your just saying that' - no Eyores PLEASE!!!

5. Choose your company wisely: Confidence is contagious - We can each pick it up by hanging out with people who have a lot of it!

I'll end with 2 quotes that I LOVE!
Rosanne Barr: "The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it!"
Ayn Rand: "The question isn't who is going to let me?, it's who is going to stop me?"

Happy Saturday Divas! XO

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Friday Finds: Red, White, and Blue

Today's Friday Finds are based on upcoming holidays such as Memorial Day, Flag Day, and July 4th. You can search for other EtsyKids members' handmade children items by using this tag, "EtsyKids Team patriotic."

1. Show Your Obama Support Comin and Going--- Child's Rumble Seat Shorts Size 6 Months by Rozzissweetpeas.
2. Patriot - 4 Sizes Infant to Toddler - Soft Sole Baby Shoes - Genuine Leather Shoes by Myminimocs.
3. American Flag Patriotic Layered Bow by Sweetsoutherndesign.
4. Tie dyed t-shirt - Youth medium - Size 6/8 by SoBenArts.
5. Red White and Blue - Braided Ribbon Barrettes by Retro80s.
6. LiliBug Patriotic Woven Headband by LiliBugBoutique.
7. Stars and Stripes Hairclips by Happygrandma402905.
8. Patriotic Skirt Top 2 pc RWB Custom Sizes 2-8 by SewSoNancy.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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Hey Yo Yo!

Yo-Yo n pl, -yos

1.a novelty technique in which circles of fabric are gathered into flat pouches and sewn together to make bedspreads or other items. The technique has roots in nineteenth-century handwork, but became very popular in the twentieth century.


2. a toy consisting of two equally sized and weighted disks of plastic, wood, or metal, connected with an axle, with a string tied around it. First becoming popular in the 1920s, "yo-yoing" is still enjoyed by children and pl, adults alike.

Starting at the top left hand corner and working around clockwise :

Market Yo-Yo Top

Market Flower Hair Clip

Hardwood Yo-Yo - Dyed - Pick Your Color

Summer Yoyo Hair Clip

20 Small Cotton Yo Yos

Personalized Hardwood Yo-Yo

ENJOY!

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Design Challenge for May: Beach Vacation!

Each month the EtsyKids Team challengs our members to create some fantastic new items within a chosen theme. The Nook won last month's challenge, so she got to pick the new theme for May: Beach Vacation! The entries are already starting to roll in, and what fun beachy stuff! EtsyKids members will have until May 20th to submit their entries, and voting will take place from Thursday, May 21st - Wednesday, May 27th. So be sure to come back to the EtsyKids blog for a new post on the 21st to see all of the entries and to vote! In the meantime, click here to get a sneak peek at some of the entries so far!

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Happy Mother's Day~!

Our day spent making paper butterflies, one of the best days ever listening to the giggles of the kids in the background, the once in awhile, "Mommy!", and the sheer delight of a simple day spent appreciating the thrill of being a mom. No better job in the world. No tougher job in the world, but none better! Happy Mother's Day EtsyKids!!!

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