Ditching the Diapers

Guess what?!
 WE ARE OUT OF DIAPERS!!!  WAHOO!!!

…we only spent TWELVE years in diapers…

(total…with five boys…)

You guessed it!  Monkey is potty trained!  I started potty training him right before Christmas.  Why?! You may ask?  Because he was ready.  He was telling me every time he went in his diaper.  Sure the timing wasn’t convenient (and the whole potty training process would have gone by a lot faster if it weren’t for all that Christmas-time busyness…) but I didn’t want to miss that window of opportunity when HE was ready.

There are lots of ways to potty train kids.  All I can say is do your homework.  Research all the different methods and take what you like and toss what you don’t.  Patience is key, and my best advice is to wait until your little subject is ready.  There will be way less tears from both of you if you go on their schedule.

Anyway, when I first started potty training all of my boys, it was a big deal for me to even get them to sit on the potty.  I learned with my oldest that if you have something that they are interested in and it is JUST for the potty, it makes it more exciting for them, and they’ll WANT to sit on the potty. 

For some of my kids, it was books.  For others, it was miniature cars or trains.  We had our “potty cars” or “potty books” and they could only use these things if they were sitting on the potty.  For Monkey, it was cars.  Not just any cars, they HAD to be CARS cars!

(Monkey may some day want to kill me for posting this picture on the internet!!)

I found some miniature CARS cars and bought them for Monkey.

(If you type “Disney Pixar movie toy mini adventures” into the search bar, you’ll find more characters.)

Next, I mounted the map onto a *TV Dinner table.  For the map, I took a picture of our Radiator Springs map/rug and printed it off.  I printed two of them to fit the top of the table, but they were both going the wrong way.  And they were too small.  So, The Hubsters had me email him the jpeg and he printed it off on some 11”x17” paper and laminated it.  It worked out much better!  Email me if you want the jpeg image and I’d be happy to send it to you.  2craftycousins@gmail.com.

Or you could just buy this cute little set that comes with a map and the cars:

*The Hubsters and I got a set of TV dinner tables for our wedding 13 years ago and we’ve used them in potty training all five of our little guys.  Here’s one at Wal-Mart for less than $10.00.

Hopefully this post wasn’t too random, and maybe now you’ll have an idea on how you can get your little one to sit on the potty.  This is what worked for us.  It actually worked five times, so it’s a pretty good tip.  :)

As for the rest of the potty training, I just set a “potty timer” and every time the timer went off, it was time go go to the potty.  I did this until they could tell on their own that it was time to go.

When they had success, they were able to put a sticker on their chart.  My charts weren’t actually charts.  They were just pieces of 8.5”x11” paper taped to the bathroom door. 

This way, my kids weren’t stressed with how many times in a row they made it to the potty; they were just happy that they went.  They also really liked putting the sticker wherever they wanted.  If they want to put the sticker on their shirt?!  By all means, let them!!

After they put their sticker wherever they wanted it, they were rewarded with some candy.  Monkey’s favorite candy is Reese’s Pieces, so after every success, he got three of them.  Yes, only three.  I didn’t want the boy spoiling his dinner!

It’s also important to make a big deal of their successes.  Jump up and down.  Shout “Yay!!  You went potty!”  Call grandma.  Do whatever it takes to get them excited about being a big kid!

It’s a big deal to potty train your little one, but so worth it.  Boy, am I glad I never have to do that again!!  :)

That’s Believable

Sorry, no tutorial today.  I just wanted share something I found hilarious.  I pinned this on Pinterest a few months ago, and I laughed so hard I cried.

Source: thechive.com via Nat on Pinterest

Oh goodness, it still makes me laugh! 

Have a great day!  :)

Fab Friday

So today, instead of posting some favorites from Pinterest, I decided to clean up my blog reading roll. While I’m doing that, I wanted to share with you my favorite blogs that I love for inspiration. Maybe you read them too?

Numero Uno:

Pretty much if I only read one blog the rest of my life, it would be this. I laugh out loud almost every time I read it. Maybe we both have a sick sense of humor? She does amazing crap, like tiling, wood projects, molding, etc. and I always wish I were as awesome.

#2 Inspiring Style Blogs:

Another Mandi blog. Vintage Revivals just always inspires me. She takes simple things and makes them awesome. She does huge epic room makeovers. I may not do everything her style, but I do look at things differently after seeing some of the sweet stuff she does.

This is another one that I know I’ve showcased before. It’s a husband/wife duo that come up with some unique art and designs and always showcase unique things they find too.

#3 Food Blogs

I can’t find an image to show, so why not some delicious food? I made this a few weeks ago and hubby and I were literally licking our bowls. I love Mel. She has been my go-to for recipes for a few years. I’ll always check her site first when I need to make something.

This is a newer one for me, but I really like their site, but I’ve only made a handful of recipes so far. But I wouldn’t mind having their cookbooks

#4 Graphic Design

I pretty much love this blog. But she is also an amazing designer, so I love seeing her works of awesomeness.

This is another one. She has great ideas and projects, but I really love her graphic designs and printables.

#5 Great Ideas all around

While I like Tatertots and Jello, she’s a fellow Utahn, I love her HUGE linky party every week. Then she showcases things throughout the week. Once you’ve been showcased on her site, you’ve made it. Maybe not, but it really is THE place to be. I need to be better about linking up.

Again, another fellow Utahn (there are a TON) but I like her clean, fresh style, and while we wouldn’t do our house with as much white, it certainly is inspiring to see a house that looks like the magazines, mainly cuz she’s been in them.

This blog is a good one to follow, because she also does a big link party and showcases them too. She’s also got fun kid craft ideas.

#6 Fashion-eque Blogs

K, this isn’t a fashion blog, but I love when she puts her fashion inspirations on the blog. I pin them 99% of the time. But she also has lots of fun crafts, and I love her holiday décor style.

This is a blog where she shows how she’s trying to use what she already has, instead of buying tons of new clothes. Great ideas.

I want to find a fashion blog that is purely fashion, but something I can relate to, and inspirational! Any faves from you?

#7 Organizing

There’s really no other blog I read in this category, but she has SO MANY ideas, and then she showcases other people’s amazing organization skills. It’s pretty inspirational.

#8 Kid Crafts & Learning

When I’m on top of things, and doing preschool with my kids, I ALWAYS use her plans and ideas. When I just need a quick craft, I come to her. I have a ton pinned on my board Kid Crafts or Learning is Fun too, but this is usually my first stop.

#9 Blogging Crap

While I enjoy her ideas, her link party features, and her recipes, I really like that she does blog tips, and she runs the SNAP! conference. I covet that conference. Don’t you think they should invite a nobody seamstress to it? Because the tickets sold out ridiculously fast. But seriously, this is an interesting blog.

I should probably have a sewing one too, huh?

#10 Sewing Blogs

No-brainer. She sews a ton of stuff for her kids and home, so this is a no-duh blog. Always inspiring and helpful.

This one I found while perusing Pinterest, and I stayed. She does refashioning and lots of sewing for kids and house too. Love it!

#11 Deal Sites

Freebies 2 Deals has awesome deals that are nationwide. Great for helping with your budget!

This is a deal site specifically for Utah,  but some are national too. Between those 2 sites, I save tons of money!

 

So those are my favorites

Some honorable mentions?

So there you go! I’m of the belief that if the blog I’m reading isn’t inspiring me or what not, I shouldn’t use my time to read it. But these are definitely on my list. I have a bunch others I read, but I haven’t decided if they’re staying or not….What’s on your list?

Oops.

I love sewing. Unfortunately, being a “Textile Artist” can be dangerous.

Yep. I totally sewed through my finger. It hurt. Bad. I yanked my finger back and busted my sewing needle. I held pressure on the wound until I got a band aid. As I removed the pressure, I noticed it wasn’t bleeding. Why? Because I made a complete stitch in my finger!! It didn’t bleed until I pulled the the thread out. Nasty.

I just learned a valuable first aid skill. In an emergency, the sewing machine will apply adequate stitches.

Just sayin’.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It’s snowing!!

Psst, I just bought my hubby some of these….They don’t have deals for guys as much!

I heart Pick Your Plum!

Anyway, here’s what I’ve been up to, and why I’ve been neglecting this here blog.

Some crazy lady I know was COMPLETELY finished with her Christmas shopping. Then she got this brilliant idea (sarcasm heavy) to make these dresses for her little princesses. Wanna know how it’s going?

That is the Belle skirt. I’ve been working on this in the wee hours of the morning and late at night when chilluns are in bed. The Belle dress is almost done, the Cinderella dress not even started. By the way, I’ve been posting more to Instagram so if you wanna follow along, it’s @ashleejuanita

What else?

(source)

After over 2 1/2 years of trying to, our house has finally SOLD!!! It was kind of messy at the end, but all is done. I didn’t mention anything to anyone until it was done. Whew. That’s a HUGE relief. Now to sell our business….

I’ve also been doing sewing projects for my daughter’s dance teacher and my cousin. It’s been a little hectic. Plus I finished my Christmas shopping/presents before December started.

Finally I was having a mini panic attack because I am that OCD and hadn’t gotten Christmas cards done yet. I’ve been trying to do family pictures since the summer, but things kept happening, so after a Christmas party on Saturday, we did some. I just called my dad and begged him to snap a few pics, and then I spent some time with Photoshop. Here’s some of my favorites.

What do you think? Which is your favorite? I’ve just finished ordering cards online, so hopefully I’ll get all the envelopes addressed and ready to go as soon as I get the cards! Are you ready for Christmas?

Halloween Silliness

Last year, Halloween was lots of fun.  Our entire family dressed up.  The Hubsters and I wore t-shirts, but still considered it dressing up.  He was Superman.  This what I wore:

(Firecracker took this picture while we were waiting for the boys after the Halloween costume parade.)

Anyway, when Firecracker first saw my “costume,” he said, “Mommy?  Why do you have eyeballs on your ‘Mommy Bumps’?!”

Apparently Firecracker needs to watch more Sesame Street!  :)

DIY Face Mask

First off, sorry I’m not doing the top  this week. I wanted to do this post instead. Second, my hubby finally got his birthday present this week. I preordered this off Amazon and gave him the receipt for his birthday. It’s finally here! It’s actually ridiculous price right now. It’s the same cost for the 4 disc combo pack as it is for the 2 disc combo. I mean, duh, right? Anyway, we’re excited to watch that again.

Now, for my super quick project…. Have you had a morning where you have places you HAVE to go, and your kid decides to develop a little cough during the night? I’m not talking contagious or anything, just an irritant. Well, that happened this week. So I decided to hurry and make up project. If I had these on hand, I wouldn’t have needed to

Anyway, I whipped these up super quick, and the girls liked them, so I thought I’d share them.

For the outside of the pink one, it measures  4 1/2'”x 10”, and the inside layer measures 4 1/2” x 7”. I cut those out. I did 2 layers since I figure it will catch more crap that way. I don’t know if the disposable ones are or not, but it made sense to me.

And pleated them both to be about 4 1/2” tall, then it can cover more if needed,

And then pinned them together, sewed them…

Close to the edge, you can see I used the inside of my presser foot to stitch around.

And then decided to finish off the edges using bias tape.

Unfortunately, I only had single fold bias tape, so it wasn’t very wide and kinda tricky to get it on there just right. But, it works! Then, I cut 2 pieces of 7” elastic and sewed it on the sides (about 1/2”-3/4” from the edges) for the ear loops. As soon as Thing 1 put hers on, Thing 2 wanted to wear one. So I made another one, and for the little one, the measurements were 4 1/2” x 8”, and then 4 1/2” x 5” on the inside. I had wide single fold bias tape for this one, and it was TONS easier. I did the same 7” piece of elastic there, and then they both were wearing them all over. They loved them! I figure it’s a little more green since you’re not throwing away disposable ones, it’s definitely cuter, and they’re washable!

Aren’t they so cute!? The girls, not the masks…. If you don’t think it’s a hygienic solution, that’s fine. It worked for a pinch with us, and I made them in the time it took them to eat breakfast (we all know that can take hours…)!
If you’re making them bigger, I just measured above the nose to the chin to get the 4 1/2” tall, and then just made sure mouths and noses were covered for the width.
What do you think? Should I have just left well enough alone? Would you use something like this? Have a great weekend!