This 'n' That: Nautical

 
I'm hoping this will give me all the inspiration I need to keep going on my really fun nautical project! I can't wait to show you all! Dude - I can't wait for summer...."summer breeze...makes me feel fine...." -kg

Busy Monday: Monkey's Birthday

I'd like to publicly wish my little baby girl a very Happy Birthday in 2 more days (She'll be 7! **drip drip tears**). I've been feverishly working on her birthday, her birthday party, orders, a fun fun fun project, and my first publication.

This is one of my favorite pictures of me and monkey when I had a little baby growing too...If you've never been to The Candy Man, in Orient Point out on the North Fork of Long Island NY, you are truly missing a slice of heaven! I've been going there since I was little for the best candy ever!!! and even without my Grandparents still living there, I will try to make it a wonderful memory for my girls too! She was proudly showing off her candy stick, just like the ones I ate when I was little! I miss her being so little! Happy birthday honey bear!

I'm off to keep busy! See you tomorrow...for some "nautical" this 'n' that picks (it will keep me excited for my latest project - and hopefully keep you guessing!)! - kg

Help Gracie fight neuroblastoma

Imagine waking up each and everyday not knowing why your child is screaming, because she is in pain, having no idea that your child has a large tumor growing in her belly, called Neuroblastoma. 

My sister recently told me about this little girl Gracie and her family that she used to go to church with here in Maine, who have since moved. I remembered their name, but I am in a different ward, and so I didn't know them as well as my sister did. She told me this story and of course it made me think of my own girls who are as healthy as they can be. She then sent me an email and told me about these 3 Etsy shop owners that are all friends with this family as well and how they are donating a portion of their proceeds to this family, for her medical bills. I knew I had to do something to help.


I recently put up this child size "Gracie's Apron" and will donate the entire purchase price to Gracie's fund to help in my own small way.

Today I am also sharing these 3 shops in the hopes that purchases will be made and proceeds donated to to help Gracie fight this cancer.

Time Captured
BeansThings

If you'd like to donate directly, you can do so by visiting the blog about Amazing Gracie. Hug your children a few extra times today! Love them that much more - I know I will! I am forever grateful for my beautiful daughters - Gracie has made me realize, that I need to blog less and be with them more, I need to enjoy them now! One day they will be grown, and in lives of their own...I'll have a great blog - but less memories. I'd rather have those memories of them being little now. Please help Gracie if you can! -kg

Giddy Up Friday: 3 R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

We just love Jack Johnson, so as I type this, I will be humming his Recycle song in my head!

My daughter was getting creative to make the Easter Bunny a little present. (Easter - I know - a little late...but I have had so much other stuff to do. I thought I'd save it for next year, but then realized I could show off her work for a Giddy Up Earth Day Craft on the heels of Earth Day!) She ended up going through the recycle bin and all around the house making "something" (she wouldn't tell me until she was done). An hour later - I was introduced to this little bunny and knew I had to share it!

So here is the idea. Go through your recycle bin (hopefully you rinse/clean your stuff)...and give your child some tape or glue and some scissors. Let them make something. A bunny, a piggy bank, a 2 car garage for their little toy cars, a house, a bed, anything! You can do it too!

Here are the things my daughter used...
Yogurt Cup
Napkin
Styrofoam ball
Bottle Cap
Wrapping Paper scraps
Q-Tips (these were clean & brand new - in case you were wondering!)
Tape
Pins (for the eyes & nose)
Paper scraps

The possibilities are endless! Think out side of the box...or in it...just have fun creating! If you do this project and blog about it - let me know by leaving a link in the comment field...I'd love to check it out! -kg

Happy Earth Day!

Tomorrow ("Today" when you read this) is Earth Day. My girls and I, and my hubby will be roaming the neighborhood looking for trash to pick up and shutting down the computer and tv for much of the day!

I hope my children's children will have beautiful things like these to photograph when they are older! Happy Earth Day. -kg

Edible Wednesday: Salsa Pork

Here's a really easy one pot dish...if you like Salsa & Pork!

Ingredients:
Boneless Pork Chops
1 jar Salsa
1 can Black Beans
1 - 2 cups Instant Rice
1tbsp Sour Cream per serving
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
Saute the Pork in a small amount of Olive Oil until medium well. Add the Salsa and cover for about 5 minutes to simmer. Then add the uncooked rice and the canned beans (pre-rinsed). Simmer until rice is tender and pork is cooked thoroughly. It really is that easy. Plate and serve immediately with a topping of sour cream. (i forgot my sour cream before I took the picture...and then once i did - it was all gone!). (and my hubby made the rice in a separate pan, so we didn't have ours all mixed as your will be...he was just trying to help!) : )

I don't eat this often - but the salsa works it's magic - and it's really tasty! Enjoy! -kg

This 'n' That: Worth of a Word...

So I saw the word "think" hanging on the wall in the last image there and it got me thinking about all the cool words there are out in this world...

And how so many of them are reflected in the work of fellow etsians...Here's just a few! Wow! -kg

Busy Monday: Birthday Paw-ty

This past week while I was taking a much needed break from my bonus blog time...I was coming up with these birthday party invitations for my daughter's upcoming birthday paw-ty.

She wants to have a Puppy/Kitty party...so we came up with some fun ideas and I'll post about it after...but for now it's top secret!

Here's a preview with the cute invites!...

I used some furry pet fabric in the shape of a paw and then used some scrap leather (from when I worked at Casual Corner...I got to clear out the sample closet and was given all the samples I wanted to keep - score!). The large circle is the size of a quarter and the small ones are the size of a dime!

The front says: "We'd be dog-gone excited to have your bring your furry paws over this way..."

The inside says: You're invited to ----- 7th Birthday Party! Fish and Bones will be served for snack!" (We are having goldfish in one bowl and scooby-doo bone treats in another bowl - they are graham crackers!) So funny!

Ok- I've already said too much! More on her birthday party when it's all done! Happy Monday! -kg

Busy Monday: Too Busy!

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad to have all you friends following my blog...but this week my two girls need more of me (this picture is about 5 years old...and I wish they were still this little - time flies - that's the old LR too!!). I have been shipping out orders galore because there are so many thumbsuckers in this world that need to stop...and that just means that I haven't had time for blogging and being a mommy and everything else I have to do. My blog is my bonus time - which I have none of this week.

I'm hoping that by taking this week off - it will help me to get a jump on next weeks projects and yummy recipes! If you have a recipe to share, by all means - send it my way (I'll be sure to give credit and send them to your blog too)! I'm always looking to share easy, quick and yummy family recipes!

I'm also working on getting my cute little Owl Ornament Sachet published and need to have that in by a certain date! I can't let that pass me by! I'm so excited for my first publication!

So have a look around...stay a while - leave a comment - I would love that! It lets me know you were here and what you enjoyed! Thanks for reading - and please stop in next week! -kg

Please do not use a copy of this photo of my children for any reason. Thank you!!!

Stop the Thumbsucking Habit Giveaway #1 - WINNER

Good morning everyone,

I wish I could say that everyone is a winner, but 'tis not the case. I used random.org to generate a number for me and it was:

Comment #8 (SANDOVALITA)*

Thank you for all that entered, you can try again next month or purchase your "ME Thumbsucking Cover" guard now and get free shipping.**

Have a great day! I'm off to make more thumb sucking covers and nurse my little girl back to health! - kg

*Sandovalita has 48 hours to respond to this post or my email to claim the prize or a new winner will be chosen.
**Free Shipping is offered only to those who had previously entered the giveaway via comments on the 1st giveaway post before the midnight deadline (please enter your screenname in the message to seller at check out). Free shipping offer valid until April 15, 2010 midnight.

Edible Wednesday: THE BEST! Banana Muffins

So my friend Sam, says these are the  "THE BEST! Banana Muffins ever! So that's what I'm calling it! Just looking at the ingredients, I'm most likely going to side with her. I haven't made it yet, my daughter Elephant wanted to help, the pictures will be coming tomorrow after we make it together!

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 bananas)
1 cup medium-diced ripe bananas (1 banana)
1 cup small-diced walnuts
1 cup granola
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Dried banana chips, granola, or shredded coconut, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line 18 large muffin cups with paper liners. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the melted butter and blend. Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas, and add them to the flour-and-butter mixture. Scrape the bowl and blend well. Don't over mix.

Fold the diced bananas, walnuts, granola, and coconut into the batter. Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each 1 to the top. Top each muffin with dried banana chips, granola, or coconut, if desired. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly, remove from the pan, and serve.

Have a good night! - I'm going to bed early! - kg

This 'n' That: Summer's Coming!

Busy Monday: Tax Time!

I didn't get a chance to "blog" today - until now. I was cleaning my house all weekend and watching some awesome talks given during General Conference!

My favorite quote was "A journey of 1000 steps begins with the first step". - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Today I shipped out an order, volunteered at my daughter's school, went to karate, took my girls to karate, went grocery shopping and got everything done I needed to for Tax Time! So - My tutorial should be ready for next monday....but don't hold me to it! lol! (after all - I still have yet to finish the puppet show box!).

Nevertheless - I will continue on my journey of a thousand steps and see you all tomorrow! -kg

(and if you haven't done this yet....click here for your chance to win your child a thumbsucking cover to stop their thumbsucking habit!!!)

Stop the Thumbsucking Habit Giveaway #1 - HAS ENDED

As many of you Kid Giddy followers/readers may or may not know, I don't very often - more like rarely - ever do giveaways on my blog. Or giveaways anywhere else for that matter. Only a couple of days ago - I was featured on another blog with a first time opportunity giveaway, but it got me thinking - I might as well do it here...for my awesome peeps!

My ME Thumbsucking Thumb Covers work alone and just simply cover the thumb! When my girls were needing to stop for age and dental reasons - I took it upon myself to make them something to help them kick the habit, after researching and scouring the world wide web and not finding something suitable. I found other thumb covers that were extremely outrageous in price, too hard (plastic ones), too flimsy, made with velcro (meaning my child wold most definitely take it off), and the nasty nail polish that wouldn't work and was therefore not an option.

With all that I [didn't] find - I knew I'd have to make my own. I knew I wasn't the only one out there with the same concerns - and then wanted to help kids and parents gain control and break the habit by offering my product on Etsy. When I made this stop thumb sucking cover for my girls (M & E), I did it 1) to help them stop sucking their thumbs, and 2) to help me stop nagging them to stop. Once it was on - it was "game on" and there was no taking it off.

Are you at this same point. Do you want to help your child stop the habit before it gets worse and costly? I have had pediatric dentist offices contacting me to share my awesome ME Thumbsucking Thumb Covers with their clients. I've had parents telling their friends who tell their friends and so on because it works. I've had parents email to tell me - their child's thumb sucking days are over! Be prepared to be happy and sad when they do quit, because I can assure you, it is a very bitter sweet moment!

Ok - so here's the scoop! I want to help people. I would like to help the children realize they can comfort themselves without putting their thumbs in their mouth, and I want to help you - the parents of these great children before the battle begins - or end the battle if it has already started! In order to do that - they need to know about my product and about Kid Giddy. For the rest of this year, I am giving away 1 Kid Giddy ME Thumbsucking Thumb Cover away every month (on the first Saturday of the month) to a lucky Kid Giddy Blog follower. Here's what you have to do:

1) Be a follower - it's ok. I always do my best to put up the most amazing yummy recipes, fun activities for kids...and fun tutorials, crafts, fun photos, eye candy, and busy business kind of information!....Leave a comment here - letting me know you are a follower (I think they should call it "friend"?).

2) (Extra Entry) Add the Kid Giddy blog button to your blog and leave a link here in the comment. (Eventually I will create a blog roll of friends - so if you want to be added to the blog roll - let me know!)

3) (Extra Entry) Become a Fan on the Kid Giddy Facebook fan page and leave a comment here (with your facebook initials).

4) (Extra Entry) Tweet about this giveaway and mention @kidgiddyetsy ...Leave a comment here letting me know you did.

5) (Extra Entry) Blog about this giveaway on your blog...Leave a link with your comment.

6) (Extra Entry) Blog about your favorite product from my Kid Giddy Etsy shop (doesn't have to be the ME Thumbsucking Cover!...just your favorite.)...Leave a link with your comment.

So there you have it - 6 chances to enter your name to win!

Are you ready now? Are you really ready? Your child doesn't have to be...but you do! And you have to have patience and compassion in your pocket for when it makes them sad to not be able to suck their thumbs. You'll have to stay strong - when they are weak, give lots of hugs and kisses and praise! On your mark, Get Set....GO!

(Good Luck)

All entries in by Wednesday April 7th 11:59 pm will be considered. Number will be picked at random using a number generator. Winner will be notified the next day on Thursday afternoon. Please be sure your email [at] wherever [is] included in each comment. If winner cannot be reached or does not contact me by Saturday evening - a new winner will be chosen!

Party Starts Saturday

Hi everyone, Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Remember last Saturday when I mentioned I was letting go of Seller Satruday, and starting a new chapter of my blog...well this Saturday, and the first Saturday of every month, I will be giving one lucky Kid Giddy Blog reader/follower a stop Thumb Sucking Cover of their choice (can also be a finger sucking guard!!!).

Follow along and be sure to check back on Saturday for your chance to win our first stop Thumb Sucking Cover to help your child kick the habit once and for all! For more information about our Thumb Sucking Covers, please check out this post!

Two Thumbs Up Testimonial:

Danielle:  "Hi Kerry, I wanted to let you know that my 6-year old daughter looked forward to wearing it, in fact she kept asking when it was going to come in the mail. She wore it for about 2 weeks, and it looks like her habit has been kicked. She doesn't want to wear it anymore since she has stopped sucking her thumb.

   I'm actually shocked she stopped the habit so quickly since she's been an avid thumb sucker since she was about 6 months old. She wore the thumb guard almost 24/7, only removing it for showers. She even wore it to school and she wasn't embarrassed by it. 

   Thanks again, and I'm really happy with your product."

If you really don't want to wait that long - wait for Saturday, or your chance to win - please visit my Etsy shop to order yours today from our in stock collection of Smalls or Mediums. More will be added again soon - esp Girl Mediums!

See you all on Saturday (and no - this is not an april fools joke - this is Real People!!!!) -kg