I have been meaning to post about this and Susan's post reminded me of that.

Cam's preschool director shared a great idea with us last year that we plan to use again this year...the "Switch Witch."

After Trick or Treating we gather up all of the candy (both collected from other houses and left over from our own) and leave it out for the Switch Witch.  She flies around on her broom on Halloween night and switches the candy for a toy.

This year the Switch Witch is bringing a Big Wheel.  

Cam loves it and is excited to get rid of his candy this year.

and I think Facebook is killing Live Journal.

I am guilty of using Facebook way more as well, but I miss everyone's posts, updates and pics here.  This place has been s-l-o-w. 

Storyland: We planned a quick overnight to North Conway this weekend.  We had taken Camden 2 summers ago (just before he turned 2) and thought it was great.  It's a cute park, it's clean and is a nice option for a quick getaway, but I don't think any of us were really impressed this time. I

ronically, when we went last time we had really low expectations and didn't think it would be anything special after having done Disney so many times.  We LOVED it then and were surprised at how great it was for little kids.  This year, I was really looking forward to returning,  but honestly I was disappointed.  I think the Disney factor did come into play. Storyland lacks efficiency as most of the rides are very slow loading so there was a lot of wait time even though it wasn't crowded at all.  Also, the shows and sites just had a very cheap and worn feel. I can't tell why I viewed it so differently this time.  I'm wondering if they have let things slide in 2 years or if Camden has just outgrown it since he is almost 4 now. Even Canobie had tons more to offer.

It was an enjoyable two days (we went Friday from 2-5 and could then return of Sat for free) and we had a good time as a family, but I was bummed that it lacked the real fun I was anticipating.

North Conway Grand Hotel: I had asked about it on Facebook so I figured I would post about it here. This was the 1st time we stayed here and was a last minute decision.  We had planned to stay at the Hampton Inn again, but this had received really good reviews and to be honest was MUCH cheaper (saved about $60.00 a night).  It was a very nice hotel and I would gladly stay here again.  

North Conway in general was packed with children!  There were honestly more families with young kids and the whole area felt more crowded than Disney did. I really don't get all the economy hype because our past few vacations this year everything has been booked to capacity.

Mystery Illness: After we went to bed on Friday night Camden started crying and holding his belly. I assumed it was because we took him out to Coldstone Creamery and let him eat his weight in chocolate ice cream at 8:15 when he normally goes to be at 7:30.  He eventually fell asleep and then woke up crying on and off.  At 4:30 Chandler insisted he felt like he had a fever.  I wasn't so sure, but drove around North Conway looking for Motrin.  When I came back he did feel really warm.  He woke up at 7:30 though and was perfectly fine.  So I have no idea if he was actually sick or just had ice cream complications combined with a new environment.  We also had the a/c on and he never sleeps well with that.

PSA: Check your statements and receipts.  I know I've posted about this before, but I tend to get lax after awhile.  With the twins coming I am trying to get really serious about our money again.  I was paying bills yesterday and noticed two errors on my credit card (we were charged $38.80 twice at a local market and were charged for the Globe subscription that we cancelled and haven't received in 2 months).  My debit card had a restaurant charge that was 40.00 higher than the bill.  I looked at the receipt and we had left a 4.00 tip so I'm sure that was where the error was made, but I am not sure if it was an intentional scam or an extra key touched.

I also discovered we were paying for 12.00+ on our cell phone bills for things we have never used.

And, Tivo charged us $12.95 for each tv instead of $12.95 for the 1st and 6.95 for the second.

The bottom line is check your statements carefully.  It seems like each time I do I find errors.

Apple is running that same promo that I took advantage of last year where you get a free itouch with the purchase of a computer/laptop.  It's a great deal and they never asked for proof that I was a teacher. 

 I figured I would offer them here and on Facebook before I sell them to a stranger on Craigslist.

I have four tickets to the Jimmy Buffett Saturday show (6/27/09).  They are in section 14 row E.

I am selling them for what I paid ($156.00 (ticket and "convenience" charge).  

It's such a fun show and I find it hard to believe he'll be touring much longer so I'm bummed to miss it, but I just can't picture myself going sober and 6.5 months pregnant with twins since I find it hard to stay up past 8:00 in my own house.

I would prefer to sell all 4 together, but will split them into pairs if I need to.

 So we sold an item on CL for 25.00 the other night.  It was in excellent condition.

A very nice woman came and got it.  She looked at it, gave me money and took it home.

Now she wants to return it.  I'm annoyed.  She was 20 minutes late and I don't really want to set aside time for a return visit.

People are weird.

 http://www.childrensdropandshop.com/indexSS9.html

I've never actually been to this sale, but I've heard great things.  FWIW, Manchester By The Sea is every bit as hoity-toity as it sounds so there is supposed to be some great name brand items there.  

 Camden and I are enjoying a cozy snowday.  I REFUSE to go outside.  That probably makes me a sucky mother because I'm sure snowy fun days are limited for the year, but I am not supposed to be doing any heavy lifting/pulling so it's not like we would be sledding or anything.  It's typically the same routine.  We spend hours "suiting up."  We get outside.  We trudge to the furthest point from the house and Cam plops in the snow and claims to be "too tired" to walk back and I trudge back with him over my shoulder.

Instead I filled a dishpan with snow and we used watercolors to paint a picture on it.  

Then I filled the sink with snow and let him play in it with his mittens on.

There you go.  My tips on how to occupy a preschooler's snow day without having to wear boots.

 Any guesses on how these two are related?



One would assume they were brother and sister, but they are father and daughter.  Good Grief.  The Story...

 Jodi is loving that magical time of year in any classroom where the kids know exactly what to do and don't have any holidays or vacations to hype them up.

Jodi is wishing time would slow down because she LOVES having a 3.5 year old.

Jodi is in need of a haircut....badly.

Jodi is hating the fact that her husband is going to a game at Northeastern Saturday night.

Jodi is thinking she may have an actual anxiety disorder and should probably address it before it effects Camden.

Jodi is wishing she just peed on a ten dollar bill and saved the time and expense of of 10 OPKs from the $1.00 store.

Jodi is looking forward to April vacation in Disney.

Jodi is worried about the economy.

Jodi is amazed that she is still wide awake after pulling an almost all nighter last night.

Just wanted to let everyone know about the Kids Clinics at HD.

It says it is for ages 5 and up but, Cam does just fine there at 3.5.

They do them on the first Saturday of each month and they are completely free.  Chandler and Cam went last month and made an adorable little art easel.  On the first visit the kids get a Home Depot apron with their name on it and a pin to put on it that shows the project they created.  They bring the apron back for their next visit and get a new pin each time to add to it.

It starts at 9 and you don't need to register.

They have little kits for the project and the tools needed to complete it.

It's a great way to get a little alone time on a Saturday morning while dad and the kiddo get some fun FREE bonding time.

They have a website that shows the upcoming projects:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=Kids_Workshops&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&locStoreNum=2623&marketID=39 

As mentioned in my previous post, I need to hop back on the extra income bandwagon.

I did really well this summer with the school stuff and have been stocking up and creating new games, thematic units and centers.  It's really a spring/summer business though since that is when teachers go crazy spending money.

I usually will sell my scrapbook pages in the winter...more as a hobby than anything else, but it has brought in some decent spending money in the past.

For those of you who use etsy:

a. Have you noticed a slowdown because of the economy?

b. Do you think it is worth it?

c. Do you do much to promote yourself?

I had set up a store last winter, but never really followed through with it.  I still have the account and am trying to decide if it is worth going that route.  Ebay annoys me.  I do love ecrater because there are no fees, but you need to really self-promote.

Anyhow, just want to see what the experts think. 

Is the economy (or hype around it) having an effect on your Christmas cards?

I did all of my shopping super early this year so I am really out of the loop of mall crowds (or lack there of).

However, I am really dragging my feet on doing our Christmas cards this year.  I'm so busy with school stuff that I haven't had a chance to design anything yet.  Chandler suggested just ordering the premade ones and to stop stressing over it.  In the past I have either done something in photoshop and printed a 4x6 and made cards or else designed and ordered postcards.  Both options are fairly cost effective.  The latter has the benefit of cheaper shipping.  

It just hit me how pricey it is to send cards.  Between the cost of the card, the possible shipping charge to get them to you and the cost of the stamp to get them out, it can be around $1.00 a card.  That adds up with a lengthy list.

Then I realized that we've received less cards so far this year than in the past as well.

I'm wondering if this is yet another thing effected by the economy.

I've also noticed that our neighborhood is far less decorated than usual.

Anyone else?

 I am happy to finally have heard education addressed and couldn't be more in love with obama's answers...or for that matter more frightened by McCains.  I really think this needs to be a bigger topic, and I honestly hope anyone with young children who would considered voting for McCain will look into NCLB and his views on education.  

I have seen education get worse and worse every year that NCLB has been around and it is a direct result of that.

Oh and BTW....if McCain happens to read my journal...

Please know that Downs and Autism are two very different things and you made a bigger ass out of yourself by mistaking that last night.

Seriously, what was Sarah Palin thinking when he said she "knows about autism better than anyone?"  As much as I don't like her, I was mortified for her at that point.

I just got the mail.  I first got the bill from my D & C.  Actually, I am assuming it was the bill because I didn't have the heart to open it.  I was going to just toss the pile on the table to deal with tomorrow, but a card caught my eye.  Aside from Christmas and birthdays it is rare to receive an actual envelope so that alone was a surprise. 

I can't even begin to explain how deeply touched I was by the kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity inside.  It certainly wasn't something I was expecting and was actually moved to tears (which says a lot considering I am not an emotional person in general).

So many many many thanks to Lydia, Kami, Laura, Meredith, Kris and Karen for the sweet and caring gesture.  You have no idea how much it meant to me.  I grateful for your support and consider myself blessed to have you ladies in my life.  :)

 damn you karen...i can't stop fantasizing about chocolate cupcakes with white frosting!

 As if Palin didn't annoy me enough...The Office won't be on tonight because of the debate.

I'm actually looking forward to the debate and am sure it will be a popcorn event.

Speaking of the debate.  Did anyone catch the beginning of the Pres. debate where they mentioned that McCain ate his "lucky meal" of ribs before going on?  I am very concerned that a man of his age could enter the presidency with Palin as his VP and considers fatty red meat to be his lucky meal!

I know I should have far deeper political thoughts on this. However, the one thing I can't get past is the fact that she went back to work 3 days after giving birth in April to a child with special needs.

I assume it was a vaginal birth since a C-section would have had hospitalized and granted by #5 the path had been paved, but I couldn't pee without screaming on day 3 post partum.

It also makes me question her views on family issues.

Does anyone know how to copy an image from the internet and also copy image properties from an internet image using a macbook? My school imac lets me right click like a pc, but the new lapbook has me at a loss. I've searched online and came up with nothing. TIA