Archive | February, 2010

Sure you can sit on the couch to eat your donut…wait, NOOOOO!!!!!! What was I thinking? You know what I’m talking about. You’re in the midst of something (Tweeting, cooking, on the phone) and the munchkin starts to pester you about something. You, in ways annoyingly say sure, sure, sure without realizing what you’re agreeing to. Well below is a prime example of that.

Smart Mamas, I think we have 2 lessons here. #1 Attempt to realize what you agree to before you agree (good luck with that one!) #2 Get a little vacuum to have on hand just in case (an easier solution!)

I think you can clearly see my obsession with my little Dirt Devil Gator 10.8V-this is a little vacuum purchased with my own money for around $30. Sooooooo awesome and very Smart Mama friendly!

Well we made it until she was 39 months for her 1st dose of antibiotics. She had a nasty ear infection last month that actually came back (or maybe never went away) this month with the added bonus of some sort of respiratory infection. So now not only are we on antibiotics AGAIN, but the poor thing is on steroids and using a nebulizer 3x a day. My poor baby.

I think that 39 months antibiotic free is really good. What do you think? I’m not a health nut, although my recent postings about produce might convince you otherwise. We watch what we eat but we did finish a bag of Doritos yesterday. So how has she maintained this great immune system (obviously, up until now?) My guess: she has a vitamin a day, loves blueberries and devoured 3 months of …

Happy Friday!!! So happy to have you here! Please look around! Check out this week’s CPSC product recalls on Recall Wednesday or learn how I unearthed the George Foreman after oh so many years!
I invite you to FOLLOW me via TWITTER, GOOGLE CONNECT , FEED BURNER and/or NETWORKED BLOGS!
I look forward to following you too!

Look what was unearthed tonight? The ridiculously large and PAIN to clean George Foreman Grill! I know you have one too. Who doesn’t? This isn’t my first. I originally owned, during my bachlorette days the more standard size. But the moment I was let loose with the bridal registry gun in hand I was certain to include the “FAMILY” size George Foreman Grill. Yes, we did use it, maybe a dozen times during the 1st 6 months or so. The annoyance of cleaning it is what tucked it away to gather dust for years now. Well, with the desire for grilled chicken and severe thunderstorm warning in effect, I grabbed the tot-lock to open that cabinet that holds the George Foreman!
Well, 8 minutes on medium produced absolutely scrumptious, moist grilled chicken! Cleaning it wasn’t too bad. Maybe now in Smart Mama-hood, you quickly learn that a few …

Below are the CPSC recalls that I have received since Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Again I’m seeing recalls for hooded sweatshirts. At least once a month childrens’ hooded sweatshirts are recalled due to drawstrings around the neck. The drawstring poses a tremendous strangulation risk to children.
In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) (which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled in the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts. Be sure to check old hand-me-downs for this!
You can find even more detailed information on all recalled products mentioned below on CPSC.gov. All information below comes directly from the CPSC website.
Smiles
Smarty Pants Mama
PS – Has Recall Wednesday ever alerted you of a product that you actually have had in your home? I want to hear about it!!! Please …

My produce of the week:
· Strawberries· Blueberries· Mangos· Bananas· Spinach· Broccolini – Baby Broccoli· Eggplant· Rainbow Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes· Onions· Garlic· Green Leaf Lettuce· Avocados· Beet Roots· Cucumbers· …

Living in South Florida sure has its perks. A day like yesterday, in the middle of February, is certainly one of them! Words don’t give this beautiful day justice, but, these pictures might help. We spent the better part of the day outside – lunch at Big Pink (http://www.bigpinkrestaurant.com/about.html) in South Beach (de-li-cious!!!!) a walk on the beach and then a Chinese New Years festival at the community college near by (Miami-Dade.)

So South Florida has the weather perk, and also the weather annoyances – just ask me in the middle of August when it’s 90 with 100% humidity as I’m boarding my house up for a hurricane!

PS – Today it’s 70 and rainy I think I jinxed the weather!

Thanks for the great encouragement to do something yummy with the lot of strawberries we picked earlier in the week. I had really wanted to make jam, however, the CoolWhip container won! Yes, we enjoyed nearly every last strawberry dunked into CoolWhip. Oh, how yummy!

Thanks for stopping by!

I welcome you to follow SmartyPantsMama.com via Twitter, Networked Blog, RSS Feed or Google Connect!

So happy to have you become a Smart Mama with me!

Oh yes, February Resolution: Organization continues!!!! Another kitchen drawer was tackled! This is the infamous junk drawer. I know you have one too! It has everything imaginable. I found 2 screwdrivers, an emery board, dozen of pens, markers, crayons, expired coupons, paper clips and 7 phone/USB type cords! I even found a Mexican peso! Well THANK YOU to the inventor of Ziploc, because that’s what saved me with this challenge! I organized the “junk” into 5 different categories and viola the drawer is organized. I also tossed sooooo much! It felt soooo good! Only one more drawer to go!!!!

BEFORE:

AFTER:
I know I’m not the only Smart Mama out there with drawers in need of a little reorganization!!! Who’s on my team?!?!?!?

Bet you didn’t know that today is National PTA Founders’ Day? On this day in 1897 Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney began their mission to see how teachers, parents and community members together can provide support, information and resources to the families of the school. I’m reminded of the ancient African proverb, it takes a village to raise child.

PTA (Parent Teachers Association) in schools are so valuable. I spent 8 years in the public schools, beginning as a classroom teacher, so I saw 1st hand how an active PTA provides such an asset to the school, while an inactive PTA is a real detriment. The schools really have such a great resource of parents who truly have a vested interest in the school. The parents who volunteer their time show a true commitment to their students.

Did you know that the National …

Picked up my Annie’s Produce yesterday! I really just get so excited!
Here’s my loot:
Inventory:
Strawberries
Blueberries
Kent Mangos
Valencia Oranges
Asparagus
Zucchini
Crimini Mushrooms
Broccoli
Fingerling Potatoes
Romaine Lettuce
Slicing Tomatoes

Yes, that makes the strawberry section of this house over done! I wonder if I can freeze the strawberries? Does anyone know?

Annie posted a fantastic sounding recipe for Asparagus and Lemon Chicken over Rice! I still have a few lemons left over from last week so I think this may be dinner tonight! I’ll let you know how it tastes!

@Stacie supermommytotherescue.com – Apple picking is certainly something I haven’t done since I lived up north. There aren’t many apple trees down this way! Thanks for the comment
@Leticia techsavvymama.com – You have already given me an idea as to what to do with my ridiculous amount of strawberries! Strawberry Jam!!!
@Shell thingsicantsay-shell.blogspot.com - NC in May must be beautiful!

Strawberry picking is a memory many have from childhood. Growing up in the northeast, strawberry picking correlated to the start of summer, with orchards open mid-June through August. Things are certainly different in South Florida. The thought of walking around outside in the middle of the summer, in a field in looking for strawberries puts me in a overheated panic. Clearly, as my adventure today can attest, strawberry picking is a middle of the winter activity down here! The milder weather and limited rains make it ideal strawberry season in this area.
Friends and I headed to Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead, FL today to pick strawberries. We, particularly the kids, had a blast. With 5 girls between 4 1/2 and nearly 3, we picked lbs and lbs of strawberries, enjoyed the most delicious milkshakes and stood in a well deserved line to purchase homemade …

Dear Smarty Pants Mama READER,
Welcome to the Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.
Here’s how YOU can join the celebration:•* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add to one blog linky.•* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.•* Follow as many blogs as you like•* Comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow•* Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

Did you watch the CBS video I posted, Chemicals That Make You Fat? Were you as disgusted as me? I’ve never really bought into the organic crunchy lifestyle, but in recent years it’s becoming more evident that the hormone filled steak may not be the best thing for you!
With this new realization I now look forward to Mondays around noon when I receive a wonderful phone call….”You can pick up after 1:30.” No, not my munchkin, my produce! For nearly 2 months I have subscribed to Annie’s Organic Produce Buying Club (http://www.anniesbuyingclub.com/) here in South Florida. For less than $40 a week I receive a tremendous box full of organic, and often local, produce. The box typically contains the staples of what we would normally buy, lettuce, tomatoes and bananas. But, every week there are items new and unique to me, …

This policy is valid from 11 February 2010
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

You may want to think twice before you bite into that non-organic apple or the hormone fille steak?
Watch CBS News Videos Online

Yes, the February Resolution: Organization continues! I’ve been focusing on my crazy kitchen drawers, you may have noticed. Here’s another random drawer, full of measuring cups, spoons and other nonsense. The after picture doesn’t really give my honest organization justice though!BEFORE
AFTER

Looking for a great Smart Mama activity for your pre-schooler??? I found it! With ZERO good G or even PG movies out there for the under 7 crew, Kid Toon Films has come to the rescue, a la SUPER WHY style! Two SUPER WHY episodes, Comic Book: Attack of the Eraser and The Big Game, will be in movie theaters on weekends in February as part of the Kidtoons program.

The official blah, blah…
The Kidtoons program is dedicated to helping parents connect with their kids by bringing family friendly animated movies to the big screen every weekend at participating theatres across the country. Participating Kidtoons theatres showcase a fun, affordable family friendly matinee movie and provide a family experience filled with entertaining, kid-friendly characters, as well as cartoon shorts, music videos and sing-alongs before each movie. We even have fun giveaways for the kids, such as …

I’ve been having that urge to get something new for the house…know that feeling?! Along came my mom with an opportunity to furniture swap! We swapped my Crate and Barrel Wine Bar for her Pier 1 entertainment center/armoire. My parents finally got a flat screen TV for their family room so they were ready to ditch the ‘in great condition’ armoire when I chimed in! We could take it! However, we don’t have room for it. I offered her the wine chest, to make room, and it was a deal!
Ok, so here’s the dilemma…WHAT DO I DO WITH THE ARMOIRE??? We put it in our dining room, right next to the kitchen with the original idea of converting it into a bar – I do need a place to put my wine glasses now that my Crate and Barrel bar is gone.

February Resolution: Organization #2
This is the drawer right next to the cutlery. It holds larger serving ware and lots of other miscellaneous stuff. One challenge I had was to incorporate the stuff from the cutlery drawer that I took out yesterday! I also found a ridiculous number of chopsticks from PF Changs to Asian Station, our decent Chineese/Japaneese delivery! I opted to put the chopsticks in Isa’s arts and crafts bin since I don’t see us using 15 sets of chopsticks in the near future!
Before….

After….

Patting my back!!!! Now I need to start thinking of the next nook!!! Will it be nightstand drawer or the linen closet…I’ll take a suggestion because honestly, I don’t want to do either! =)

I’ve made a resolution with myself – I guess I can’t call it a New Year’s resolution since I really didn’t start it until February. We can call it the February resolution – the February Resolution: Organization!

I have nooks and crannies around the house, some larger than others, that are in desperate need of organization. Some are drawers, closets, under beds, pantries and the like. I’m taking a guess that I’m not the only Smart Mama with this going on! Well, I hereby promise to clean/organize a nook every day. The nooks will vary in size, from one shelf in the pantry to my daughter’s closet (I made need extra help here!) My daily clean out will range in time to complete – with areas like my medicine cabinet just minutes and the garage, well I won’t even go there yet!

February Resolution: Organization – Day 1 – My Cutlery Drawer
Before…. …

Reader Mail! Reader Mail!

Oh the tales of child birthday party invites…or adult for that matter!!! Who do we invite? Who do we not invite? Are you annoyed that you didn’t make the list or relieved for a classmate’s birthday party at the park that is just at a bad time?

Reader DebbieF wrote:

What do you think etiquette is on your child being invited to a birthday party for a classmate that was not invited to your child’s party? if you don’t know…maybe you’ll consider starting discussions on mommy questions some how through the blog? I don’t know…just a thought- hope all is well. debbie

Great question/dilemma! I just went through this last fall with Isa’s birthday. Parties come in different sizes. We all can’t have a party of 100 with circus acts and popcorn. We each do what’s best for our child and family. Sometimes that means a small …