Featured Shop: Little Diva Crafts

Little Diva Crafts is located in sunny Brisbane, Australia. Christine, the owner loves to buy fabrics from all over the world to create gorgeous toys, clothes and accessories for her three little cherubs and now creates them for yours too! My personal favourite at the moment is the snigglebottom's - These cute little critters each have their own name and there are no two that are alike, they are soft and cuddly, have perfect feet for those who like to chew on something and are a great grip size for any little kiddie at approximately 30cm tall.

With every dress that you buy, you will receive a free matching clip, so much better than searching for something that matches the outfit after purchase!

If you feel like doing a bit of sewing yourself - Check out Christine's new Etsy store - Usew2 for patterns and DIY kits which include pattern and fabric..

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Do You Have a Tiganda Tiger?

Re-posted, with permission, from The Mama Dramalogues


My oldest child has been a challenge thus far, mostly due to the fact that she's behind in her speaking skills, so it's been difficult to communicate with her. She's since been getting extra help from the school district and things have slowly been improving. But man, is that girl a freakin' drama queen!

At the last doctors appointment I took my kids to, their pediatrician gave me the usual lists of milestones and reading material. She highlighted one book in particular and highly recommended it. The book is called Temperament Tools by Helen Neville. She said it was great for learning about different temperaments and finding out which ones your child may have.

This book is awesome! It's very straightforward. I love that in the introduction, the author states that doctors have finally come around and proven what parents have known for years, that our children are born with certain traits regardless of what we do as parents to raise them. Two children, under the same roof, can and probably do have completely different inborn traits.

Then there is a temperament chart where you determine, through a couple of questions, where your child falls on such things as the drama, adaptation and energy scales (just to name a few). If your child is an extreme for a scale, you can then just read the corresponding chapter that pertains to that child rather than sift through the entire book trying to glean the information you need.

My oldest is a Tiganda Tiger which means she's slow to adapt and very intense in her feelings. In her chapter it explains how she sees things, and helps me, as a parent, try to meet her needs in a way that she'll understand and that won't drive me nuts. Telling her to stop doing something won't work. Since she's slow to adapt, the image needs to change in her mind before she can move on. Frustrating yes, but at least it makes sense now and I can be more patient with it.

I was able to get a copy of this book from my local library and I do recommend checking it out. It's a pretty nifty tool!

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...getting ready...

Last year my oldest began preschool and I think we both learned a lot! I learned what a nap mat was (I really really did not know!), then I learned how to fold one back up (week two!), and I learned just how fun it is for my little one to go to school and make new friends ~ he loves it! Here are some of the things I love in my "back to school" quest!

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reusable snack bags from MamaMade

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cute dump truck backpack from Busy Little Hands

reusable lunch tote from Torrilyn123

Search EtsyKids for the best handmade back to school yet! Happy Shopping!

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Kids....Chores....Madness....

In my day to day whirlwind of activities I find my self 'barking' at the kids alot - like a drill sergeant. I get home at 6ish and bark out orders "get the living room cleaned up, who left this in the floor, who broke this, clean up the floor, look at all these dirty dishes" and then I go about my business and assume they are following orders (HA!) then when I re emerge a couple of hours later, nothing has been done and so I bark some more and go back in to the sewing room - this cycle goes on forever back and forth every day until....

Thursday night! The boys were working on their usual chores Roman had the bedroom, living room and their bathroom and Sterling has Kitchen and Laundry. So they were whining about it being so boring and bla bla bla (insert Charlie Brown's teacher's voice). Roman says "we get tired of doing the same thing over and over again, can't we switch?" and Sterling chimes in "why don't you make a list of all the chores and pick different ones each day?" So I added one more notch - "we can make little slips of paper with the chores on them and put them in bowl and you can draw out chores one at a time - that way you'll never know what your drawing out". So I wrote down every chore on a piece of paper - but I broke them down into 5 minute tasks: instead of 'clean the living room' there are> pick up toys, pick up trash, clean behind couch, vacuum, dust ent center, etc.

THE BOYS LOVED IT! They were so hiped up about being able to complete a 'chore' in a short period of time that they would fly through and couldn't wait to do another chore. I stood and watched in amazement as they completed more than what they usually do in half the time it would take them normally. And they were so excited - I couldn't believe it! We have continued every night and I'm thrilled to say they are still just as excited - if I forget they will remind me to get the chore bowl down so they can draw!

....maybe I should try this with my to do list.....

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Delicious After School Snacks

Well, it's just about that time! Depending on what school your children are enrolled in, you may be busily bustling around town getting all the school supplies gathered!

Can you believe it?! Summer is almost over (at least here in the States)!

Within just a few weeks we'll all be back to the daily grind and routine of having our kids in school. No matter if your little ones attend preschool or even if you have older kids in the midst of their high school years, the bottom line is - life picks up once everything is back in session!

If your schedule is anything like mine (and if your children are the typical after school 'munchers' raiding the cabinets before they even drop their backpacks to the floor when they get home) - you'll soon be looking for easy to make, easy to take after school snacks! Snacks that provide at least some nutritional value and ones that will hold them over until you can get dinner on the table....maybe even something they can munch on to help keep them energetic & focused as they do their homework.

Well...this week I'm going to help you find great after school (or just about anytime) yummy snacks! Check out these delicious bites that put a spin on the usual everyday snacks:

Carrots with Peanut Dipping Sauce, Tiny Tortilla Pizzas, Cherries with Brown Sugar Dip, Strawberry 'Cheescakes'


6 Minute Potato Chips, Chocolate Banana Tortillas, Cucumber Yogurt Boats, Oh-So-Easy Peanut Butter Cookies


Favorite Juice Jello, Parmesan Pita Chips with Mashed Dip


For all recipes and other source information click on the links or the pictures above!

Enjoy!!

All recipes can be found at Parenting.com and were written by Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen

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Milestones for the Baby Book and Playing Fetch

Re-posted with permission from Marisa at The Mama Dramalogues on 6/11/09.


There are certain milestones that babies and young children hit in their childhood development, that are celebrated with great joy by their loving and adoring parents. Usually these milestones are photographed, video taped and all around bragged about.

Like:

"My little Timmy just learned how to sit up all by himself. And he is only 5 months old! Here, let me show you the photo montage I created of him sitting, without his Bumbo baby seat, for the first time."

-and-

"My little Ava just took her first steps! Look! I have 1 hour and 45 minutes of it on video. You have to watch the whole thing... it is so cute!"

(for the record, the walking milestone was not a celebrated milestone in our house.... at least not the second time around when we knew what a walking baby entailed. Good-bye sanity)

(and while I'm going on about it, let me just tell you that Annelie was walking at 9 months. Yeah, that's right. 9 months. Was I happy about that? No. Did I wish she would sit like a stagnant lump and play with her toys in one peaceful pile for the rest of her life? You bet)

Now, I'm not going to lie to you... I celebrate and photograph my kids milestones just like the rest of you moms. Because (just like your kids, I'm sure) my babies are little geniuses and I need to record everything they do and say so I can brag about it for the rest of their lives. But since I'm talking about milestones, I just need to jump for joy for a minute. Annelie, my 2.5 year old youngest, finally reached my favorite milestone of all: Fetching stuff.

I don't actually have pictures of this particular milestone, as I'd rather just sit back and watch things, like the TV remote control, or the telephone, come to me when I ask for them. I'm finally getting a chance to rest for about 3 minutes out of the day.

And I'm taking it. Without jumping for the camera so I can make a YouTube video of it.

Granted, Annelie doesn't always get it right. Like the other day when I realized I had forgotten to restock the bathroom with toilet paper. I begged and begged for Annelie to bring me some. Though she enthusiastically shouted, "Okay, Mama!" as she went off to get me some from the kitchen table (where the new rolls were still sitting in their grocery bag), she came back empty handed three times. Luckily, 4 year old Gracie came to the rescue. She's a pro at this fetch-stuff-for-mommy business.

Just ask my husband, who, behind my back, taught Gracie how to fetch his beer from the fridge. Now, I'm not really a fan of preschoolers fetching beer for their lazy parents. The remote control is one thing, but fetching alcoholic beverages just seems wrong to me. Will knows this fully well, which is why he was in the dog house the evening I discovered Gracie getting beer from the fridge for him... especially when she looked up at me and whispered, "Shhhhh... I'm not supposed to tell you that I'm getting Daddy's beer."

Ahhh, those fabulous milestones. Now I just need to teach my girls how to do the laundry and dishes so I can really sit back and enjoy myself. Fetch is nice... but all the household chores? That will be bliss.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge for August is...

Get ready to get spOOked, as EtsyKids members prepare for their new challenge 'Halloween!'

Each month EtsyKids Team members are challenged to create a unique item within a chosen theme. This month's challenge, 'Halloween!', was picked by last month's winner thetrendytot. EtsyKids members will have until August 19th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from Friday, August 21st to Thursday, August 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 VOTE! In the meantime, click here to get a sneak peek at some exciting entries so far!

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Couldn't be Better!

If you haven't yet seen it and would love

a fun and valuable resource embracing

the handmade way of life and celebrating

the kids in yours, see the latest issue of

Modern Handmade Child here,

absolutely free!

Interested in advertising in the best new

online magazine around? Want to subscribe

(it's free!) Have questions? Click here!

Happy Sunday and Happy reading to all!

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Veering to the left a little :)

This is a departure from my usual posts BUT I found out today that there are several people who don't know about this and EVERYONE needs to participate in this if you have kids, neices, nephews, cousins, grandkids - it doesn't matter!!!

My boys have been going to Lowes and Home Depot for their Build and Grow programs since they were 5 - THEY ARE FANTASTIC AND FREE! We did Home Depot when we lived in West Asheville and after we moved here we go to Lowe's. Everyone probably has either of these somewhere near by. You can go to Lowes or Home Depot's websites to locate a store near you!

Your kids get carpenter aprons and a hammer that's all their own. They build one project each time. Both stores offer the program every other Saturday at 10 am. Lowes will accommodate any age - we have seen kids as young as 2 yrs there and they ALL have a great time! My boys talk about it ALL day on Friday! They can't wait for Saturday morning!

It teaches hand/eye coordination, following written and spoken instructions, social skills, teamwork, and the kids get a HUGE since of accomplishment when they complete their projects! The instructor will give them a badge to put on their apron and a certificate saying they completed it!

If you know any kids - you must let them experience this themselves! THEY WILL LOVE IT!!!

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Friday Finds: EtsyKids Atlantic Southeast region

Today's Friday Finds are based on one of our regions' team tag "EtsyKids Team ASE," which is the Atlantic Southeast region (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida).

1. Striped Butterfly Tee 12-18m to 5/6t by Plumtreestudio.
2. One of a Rainbow of Octopi - solid colored crocheted amigurumi by Happywhosits.
3. Apple - braided ribbon barrette by Retro80s.
4. Spring Chick 3pc Custom Size by Ellamonde.
5. Heavenly Handiwork - 5x5 in - Original Children's Small Format Art by Pholkartblessings.
6. Pick any 3 Itty Bitty Bows by Happygrandma402905.
7. Life Is A Highway, Custom Car Applique Shirt by Babysisterdesign.
8. Super Skinny Necktie Retro Orange Stripe by MeandMatilda.

Hope you have a great weekend! :-)

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Featured Shop - Retro Rugrats

Retro Rugrats™ is where you will find hand-crafted children's products that are professionally constructed.

You will find crayon rolls, children's apron's, bib's chalk mats, accessories and much more!

Retro Rugrats is run by Maria Kirk, a work at home mother to 3 small children she enjoy's researching fashions and popular toys of the past and incorporating them into modern, updated styles. Occasionally she will re-work vintage fabrics into the designs and mix and match with updated reproduction fabrics. Located in the community of Ventura, California Retro Rugrats™ will ship worldwide.

Any child would love to receive one of these great items....lets face it Christmas isn't that far away!

Enjoy!

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Better Than Sliced Bread

What is convenience worth?

There was a time when I would sacrifice my time, because it was cheaper. I didn't buy prepackaged snacks, because it was cheaper to buy it in bulk. I wouldn't buy pudding cups, because I could make it myself. Going out to eat killed me-How could I spend my grocery budget on ONE meal?

Well, times have changed!

I am the mother of four-count them-one, two, three, FOUR kids. Four. Let's kick it up a notch: three of those kids are ages five and under. My hands are full, and convenience is the new pink. I'm always looking for ways to save time. It's also a nice bonus if it helps to keep the drama at a minimum. And it's extra-extra special if it helps my little people develop some independence.

So-better than sliced bread: Kool-aid single serve packets.

I LOVE these things! I don't even look at the price when I put them in the cart. My kids all have their own water bottle with their name on it. When they need a drink, they can pick out a packet of THEIR CHOICE, and make their own kool-aid. It's so easy. They just tear off the top, pour the powder in the bottle, add water, and shake.

So easy! So convenient. Try it at your house.





originally posted by tip tops: http://tiptopsspot.blogspot.com/2009/07/better-than-sliced-bread.html

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Did yall see it yet?????

The magazine is out,

sorry if I am stepping on any toes here, but I am just soo excited to see it and it totally rocks. Everyone put sooo much hard work into and it looks soo good. I am positive it will be a big hit and I love it.

http://modernhandmadechild.com/

Come check it out.
And if anyone else wanted to be first to post about it, sorry I just got excited. LOL.

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I've Been Duped!

Re-posted with permission from Marisa at The Mama Dramalogues.
Originally posted 6/3/09.


Crying, biting, being forced awake all night, temper-tantrums, messes that never ever go away no matter how much I clean them... this wasn't what I signed up for, and I'm feeling like I've been duped.

Let me explain. You see, I took that class in high school, the one where we learn just how hard it is to take care of a baby. For one hellish week, everyone in Senior year Psychology had a baby. That's right, a baby.

A 5-lb sack of flour that went with us everywhere, just like real babies.

They needed to be swaddled in blankets, they had to go from class to class with us, they had to come home and go with us to our jobs. They had to sit up at the dinner table with us, and be tucked into bed. Right next to us. It was hell.

Do you know how tough it is to go to the grocery store with a 5-lb sack of flour baby? Do you understand just how hard it is to walk the halls at school, toting a 5-lb sack of flour baby? I did. Oh yes, I lived through it for one entire week, and let me tell you, after living through that, I was prepared for anything.

Thank you high school, for preparing me for the real world.


... and then I had kids. Real kids.

I had crying, biting, awake-all-night, temper-tantrum throwing, messes-that-never-ever-go-away-no matter-how-much-I-clean-them making kinds of kids.

I want to know... Where is my sweet little 5-lb baby? Where is the tiny little thing, swaddled in a pink blanket who goes with me everywhere and sits happily in the shopping cart without making one little peep? Where is the silent little thing that allows me to sleep through the night, completely uninterrupted? Where?

And who the heck is this screaming little 8-lb thing who eats round the clock, doesn't give me a second of peace, refuses to sleep for even a second, and who needs her diaper changed every 45 seconds?

I think I've been duped.

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Take Time!

...so so easy to go into "overload" and miss the roses we forget to stop and smell - nothing helps remind us of those roses more than the kids in our lives, and that is what EtsyKids is all about -the sheer inspiration we gets from our kids! I 'll just share that while photographing orders the other day, I caught my oldest in the garden counting petals on a periwinkle reciting "...she loves me, she loves me not, she loves me..." O.K. now, he's only three and I have no idea where he learned that from! But the pure joy on his face when the last petal was counted upon "she loves me!", even though I know he did not understand completely, was priceless. Then again, just maybe he did. Much like the day our little family experienced lay off in these hard economic times and we literally watched our world turn upside down, my kids were intent on making brownies. Intent in a flat out, stop the world, it is imperative that we make brownies kind of way. So we stopped. Stopped worrying for a moment, stopped the panic, we just stopped. And we made brownies. I truly believe those were the best brownies that will ever come out of our kitchen.

It is this kind of day and week that I wish you - a wow! everything is crazy right now but I really think we should just stop and make brownies kind of day, and may the sweet smell of roses be yours again in plenty :)

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Sis Boom Nuggets

5 years ago I stared a 'Women Entrepreneur' scrap book - merely as inspiration for myself...I mean - if they can do it - I can...right?! RIGHT! SO - It has grown and grown I now have 2 HUGE volumes and it's great to see women who I have in the scrapbook when they were just starting out that are now very successful and extremely popular, like Carol's Daughter hair and skin care, I was reading about her when she was just selling out of her home and thinking about expanding, now she's seriously rocking and rolling! Hopefully, an article about ME will one day be in my scrap book! hee hee!

I take the book out at least a couple of times a month and go through and read a few articles for inspiration. Last night I was skimming through...and on page 27 of my scrap book is Sis Boom - Jennifer Paganelli is the creative genius behind this line of fabrics and patterns. The name for her business was the actual nickname that her twin brother called her when they were growing up!

There are 3 specific statements from her article that I would like to share with you today.

1. DON'T WORRY
"I used to be so worried that my family would feel left out because I was so busy, or overwhelmed by so much stuff everywhere. (The business has definitely spilled into every room int he house!) But I've learned that the family is happy when Mommy is happy. Doing something you love is the best example you can set for your kids!"

2. DON'T WAIT
"Back in 1995, when I first started this business, I was living in a new state with a toddler running in and out between my legs. I didn't have a brilliant plan the, but I did have all these old textiles and wallpapers that I'd collected at flea markets over the years. I've learned the best business ideas are usually hiding somewhere in your hobby!"

3. WORK YOUR WAY
"Everyone has a work style, but it can take awhile to be honest with yourself about just what that is. I used to believe that I needed the perfect work space to get things done. What's more it had to be clean! But over the years I have learned to let my craft room be the place where I work and work - and then sweep when I have the time!

I hope you Diva's have a rock out Saturday! Hope these 'nuggets' give you inspiration - like they do me - wishing you every success! SMOOCHES!

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How is it?

Have you ever noticed that days that you want to clean house end up being busy with other work?
How is this? How does this happen?

I woke up this morning and had the goal of catching up on some much needed house cleaning. Only to get 3 orders in and remember I have a feature I had to fill in on another sit. So I get busy with that, and by the time I am half way done with anything, it is time to cook diner. Now I am soo tired from standing in front of a hot stove and being 7 months pregnant, I do not want to do a thing. Forget work, forget cleaning, I just want a nap.

Of course that isn't possible with a very active four year old jumping from couch to couch. Maybe I should see if I can con him into cleaning some of this house for me. Make him do a few loads of laundry and sweep and mop the floor, ok that is just wishful thinking, it will never happen, or at least he will do it but it will not be to my standards so I still have to go back behind him and clean everything.

Ohh where is my house cleaning fairies, or my fairy god mother? Can't she do chores for me so I can take a nap?

Ohh well maybe I will get it done tomorrow! NOT!

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Design Challenge for July...and the winner is

2. RED SHOES RAGALAN PEASANT TOP by: thetrendytot

Congratulations to the winner of this month's challenge - Red Shoes Raglan Peasant Top by thetrendytot! The Trendy Tot is one of a kind, hip clothing store selling bright and fun play dresses, tops and more. You can visit them at thetrendytot or check out their website at thetrendytot.com

We had an amazing selection of entries this month. I'm sure it was very hard to choose just one. Cheers to all of you that participated and hope to see more of your wonderful designs next month!

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Kids in the Kitchen

I'm always looking for fun snacks that I can serve my two little ones...just something that will hold them over in between meals. I'm sure it's something that all of us moms do from time to time!

When I was a preschool teacher, I had learned to turn food into many different things to fit the classroom theme of the week! Learning about the ocean this week? Well then whip some cream cheese with a few drops of blue food coloring and have the kids dip goldfish crackers in it! Yum. Easy!

Or how about making Aquarium Cups with blue jello?

Make the blue jello as directed, divide it up and pour the jello into clear plastic cups. Just as the jello starts to set (about 1 hour or so), put a Swedish fish in the middle of the jello cup...and poof! You have a instant ocean treat...fish and all! Click here for Kraft's yummy version of that treat!

Jello...Pudding...Crackers...Veggies...they all make yummy treats for kids! But...the fun part is creating a spectacular treat out of the ordinary, everyday ingredients. And it doesn't have to be hard. Look around your kitchen...what do you have already sitting in your cabinets that will help you create a fun & tasty treat that your kids will love & even brag about?!

In celebration of the summer sun and blasting heat...this week we made Sandy Beach Cups in our house. Take a peek at just how easy they are to make!


All you need is:
Pudding Snack Cups (or make your own instant pudding & put it in clear plastic cups)
Graham Crackers (or if you have a box of crushed graham cracker crumbs on hand, it'll save you a step)
Lifesaver Gummy Rings
Teddy Grahams
Paper Umbrella Picks

All you have to do is crush graham crackers (or use the already crushed ones) and sprinkle them on top of the pudding cups. Allow your kids to 'decorate' their sandy beach cups with Teddy Grahams and Gummy Lifesaver rings (representing the Teddy's lifesaver floaties). Embellish with a paper umbrella pick and you've got yourself...I mean, your kids have a tasty summer themed treat!

And the best part about this snack is...I set up a little assembly line on the table and my children helped to create their own snacks! It was a fun activity that filled the tummy and enlightened their creativity all at the same time!

Enjoy!

Recipes were inspired by Kraftfoods Sweet Treats for Kids.

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Is It 5 Minutes Ago Yet?

Re-posted with permission from Alyssa at The Mama Dramalogues. Originally posted 6/2/09.

Once upon a time, Alyssa was a wild haired 12 year old...no really, it's true...it happened...I swear...anyway, Alyssa the "tween" used to spend any available babysitting money plastering her walls with magazine pictures and posters of Duran Duran, much to her parent's dismay (seriously, who wants that much Scotch tape in one place?)...


What's the point of this trip down memory lane? Work with me here...my point is, having done it myself, I'm pretty sure it's a cardinal law...maybe a forgotten Newtonian theory or lost 11th Commandment...that kids will find an obsession that will drive their parents nuts. Since SweetPea and Lil Buddy are both pretty young, there's no telling what fads they'll be tempted to buy into in the not so distant future...but I can say this...I am SO glad that fads come and go like wildfire, because there are a few out there right now that are bugging the hell out of me...and I can only hope are "so 5 minutes ago" long before my kids find them interesting...

The "Jonas Brothers" Shag Do: While we're at it...throw the stupid Jonas Brothers out with their annoying hair. Dude...the Hardy Boys and The Partridge Family want you to stop ripping off their look. Not that I have anything against long hair...hey, I used to have a huge crush on Mark Slaughter for God sake...but come on...he had GREAT hair. I can't tell you how many times I've seen some teenage boy running around with this do and wanted seriously to hold him down and buzz it off. Seriously...pick a side...grow it long or cut it short. The fact that kids pay someone to make it look like they still need a haircut drives me nutty.


Hannah Montana: Pllllleeeeeehhheeeeesssseee make it stop!!! If I have to see Miley Cirus one more time, I think I might have to claw my eyes out (so what do I do...I post a pic...go figure!). I'm anxiously waiting for her to turn 18...not for the same reason I'm sure half of the men in the universe might be, but so she can either do a Britney and spiral out of control and end up on the cover of Playboy, forever sending her Disney "I'm cute enough to be safe for your 5 year old daughter" card up in flames or just having the general "Lizzie McGuire/Sabrina the Teenage Witch" effect kick in where she's officially too old to be relevant to anyone under the age of 16. I have a dream...that someday within the next two years, I can walk into a WalMart or Target and not have to see shelves full of Hannah Montana merchandise staring back at me.

Bratz Dolls: Sadly...these things just don't seem to be going away. I'm sure at this point I have no social commentary to share that hasn't been beaten to death in the media, but, honestly, I DO NOT want my daughter playing with skanky dolls. Yeah, maybe I'm a prude...so be it. For all of the moms who I hear don't want their kids playing with Bratz either, someone has to be buying them, because there are whole aisles dedicated to them in toy stores and retail shops everywhere. Maybe someone will leak some nudie pics of THEM on the Internet and their careers will be over too.

At the end of the day, the kicker is...even when these things do disappear into the land of retro nostalgia...something all new and more annoying will surely take their place. My solution...I'm ripping off the movie Bubble Boy...I'm putting the kids in big plastic bubbles and letting them stay home all day watching Land of the Lost reruns.

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