sparklish's Profile

When we bought our first condo it was smaller than what we'd been renting. We used a storage unit nearby to keep stuff like ski equipment snowshoes in the offseason and to keep a few things we were saving until we got a bigger place. The space was tiny, accessible by ladder and not that expensive. For the three years we had it, I cost maybe $750 dollars total. Even though yes, there was the odd box of stuff we didn't ultimately keep, it was definitely financially worthwhile. I guess that goes to the point of rent no more space than you need.

Good suggestions here, but I also just recycle them if I end up with more than one, which is rare since we mostly use cloth wipes. @stickyricemama - not sure why that's so offensive. I have other systems for storing our Legos and cars and wipes boxes don't really gel with that.

Totally disagree with many of these tips. I won't pay my kid to do chores; they have to do them because they are members of my household. When they're older they will also get a modest allowance to do what they want with...that autonomy, I hope, will teach them how to budget.

I too just have a notebook, which I write in freeform. I like that I can just write about whatever - funny things they say, habits, or even what world events are going on. I also have a wee box (a cardboard filing box from Ikea) for treasures - pictures with Santa, first time he wrote his name, a very special preschool art project. I don't keep much - I tend to photograph it instead, but I do like to retain a few special treasures.

I say go for it. Time it near a nap if you ca but I wouldn't go to the extent if driving at bedtime unless that is convenient for you. Agree that making sure baby is fed and dry gives you peace of mind even if they fuss a bit. Is there a cd your baby likes? Although I'm not big on kid music, when my son was little he had a song he loved and putting it on in the car always stopped his fussing, at least for awhile. Ive also heard static on the radio works well. I never cultivated that with my second child and I regretted it, although at least she has her brother to entertain her.

Another thing that really helped is making sure the car seat was reclined sufficiently for the baby to sleep well. My daughter was much easier in the car when her seat was positioned so her head didn't loll forward when she fell asleep.

I also completely second holiday05's comment, that having kids who are used to car trips can be a very good thing, and four hours seems like a reasonable enough distance to start with.

Beautiful room and best wishes to the lucky child who gets to live there.

I love this room! The "wallpaper" is fantastic and I love the black and white. You don't often see that in a baby's room. Big thumbs up from me.

Not even the most doting grandparent wants to get a dryer lint elephant craft.

And wanted to clarify that yes, my son is potty-trained.

The tutorial explains the paint is to paint the tin so you have a white background for mixing. And the paint is dried out, so the child uses the pens to wet them a bit. Doesn't sound too messy! I may have to see if I can get to the craft store tomorrow to get the supplies for this as we are traveling over easter... Lovely tutorial.