Top Three

Lately my life has been made easier in several ways. I am sitting here thinking that if I have been so greatly impacted, surely one or two of you might be as well. And so, I've decided to share with you the top three things that have changed life as I know it. Drum roll, please.

Behold Thing 1: The Veggie Straw

Now, Little One is a snack-a-holic. We've got about a bazillion varieties of snack in our pantry as I just never know what will be acceptable to the sophisticated palette she's got going on. Teddy Grahams, Goldfish, granola bars, Cheerios, graham crackers, saltines, Cinnabon cereal (oh my heavens, delicious) to name a few. The only snack that is consistently met with a vigorous rubbing of her chest (the sign for please), simultaneous nodding that resembles head banging, followed by "peas mama" and a dash to the highchair is the Veggie Straw. $4.88 at Sams for approximately 172,341 straws. It's worth the investment, I promise.

Behold Thing 2: The Pin Cushion

I was inspired by this sweet mama/friend from college. She took the plunge a few weeks ago. So I dropped the chunk of change at Hancock's for my very own PURPLE pin cushion. Prior to, I'd been using a little tin that whenever opened always brings a good dose of nostalgia for Christmas morning with my mother. Remember, mom? Sister? Baby sister?

Regardless, the tomato pin cushion has changed my life. It would have been especially handy when working on this:

That would be Little One's Halloween Costume, which I'm pretty sure doesn't look much like a disguise (although she will have a black nose to complete the ensemble). I'm not a big fan of Halloween- the ghosts and witches and whatnot. The costume isn't a big deal to me. But when I saw $60 for a toddler costume, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I think I might should've just bought one for a few dollars at Target because I'm next to positive that the ears are jacked up, she won't keep them on, and will look nothing like a little lamb. I thought about tying a bell around her neck but nixed that. Don't they only do that with cows? I'm now considering a sign on her back that says "Lost Sheep" (which is quite true). LOML suggested "Lamb Chop." Really? Food or that creepy sock puppet? Open for suggestions. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Switching gears...I'm pretty sure that if you are pregnant then you and I are friends, because my list of baby gifts to give is longer than my grocery list. And that is scary. And costly. And while I delight in giving baby gifts (which, really, I do), we also want to send Little One to college. We can't quite loosen the belt on the budget right now and so creativity has come a-knockin'. The pin cushion has really come in handy while making these bad boys:

Absorbent terry cloth on one side and pretty trimmed out fabric on the other. At the rate I'm going, adding about two babies a day to the list, I predict it will only take me three months worth of naptimes to make an adequate supply. :)

Behold Thing 3: The Smart Phone

Yes, I have been living in the dark ages. Yes, the employees laughed when I pulled the 5 year old flip phone from my purse. And yes, I am completely overwhelmed with what to do with this new phone/computer/gps/rocket ship. I think I hear sister singing the hallelujah chorus, as we get disconnected nearly every single time we talk. It's funny that her phone only does that with me. (you do sense my sarcasm, right?) I'm really moving up in this world.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! If you come trick-or-treating our way, don't expect candy from this house. You'll get a glow in the dark necklace. And maybe, only if you're lucky, a handful of Veggie Straws. Happy Halloween!