Baby Blues....

I just needed to know, of all the women who read this blog, how many got "the baby blues" and for how long? With my first child, I went into a depression so bad the Dr. medicated and counseled me... that lasted over a year. Now with my son turning two months I'm finding it harder and harder to get out of bed and shower. I'm nervous, does this happen to all moms, is it just me? Am I horrible for feeling this way when the people close to me (my sister) are struggling with a loss, and I can't even deal with my issues? HELP

Midnight Sun

Someone leaked on the internet a partial draft of Stephenie Meyer's Midnight Sun manuscript (which, as you probably know, is Twilight retold from Edward's perspective) and now Stephenie has offered the partial draft (12 chapters, non-contraband this time) on her website. I read the leaked version and I loved it, so I really hope she publishes Midnight Sun in the future (when she's not so angry about the leak).
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

Let the guilt go!

"Their physical brain develops through play"

Forever my friends and I have been worried, that as young moms, we didn't know enough or do enough extra activities with our kids in their first years. Many of us didn't have the budget to sign-up for art classes when our baby was 18mo. or buy the expensive electronic learning system toys for Christmas. We all just tried to make ourselves feel like what we were doing was going to be good enough.

Recently, I been feeling guilty because I didn't put my second son, who just turned 3, into preschool this year. My first son went to preschool when he was two, mostly because he needed to the social interaction. So, he ended up going for three years and now, in Kindergarten, it's not like he is any smarter then the kids who only went for one year. Well, I saw this Today Show segment and it made me feel like, OK, my child will grow-up to be just (if not more) innovative then the child who had violin/art/chorus lessons and a personal computer when he was two. Let the children play!

Enrichment Ideas

So I am the new Enrichment Supervisor in my ward. I am excited about it from the learning and crafts side, but a little daunted by the spiritual stuff. Can everyone please share some ideas of Enrichment meetings they have attended that had cool spiritual themes? I have the entire year to plan coming up, no committee yet and an Enrichment counselor who has a very slow and indirect way of doing things (completely opposite from me).

Our next activity is RS Broadcast and I thought it would be fun and easier to do a potluck fancy dessert with another ward since we will both be in the building at the same time and since here the Broadcast starts at 8 pm.

Also, if you have any cute and cheap Christmas gift ideas to pass along that would be great. So far we are doing cookie mixes in jars, painted wooden signs with vinyl lettering (love at home, etc.,) and hair bows.

School Snacks

I came across some fun ideas for snacks and other back-to-school ideas at FamilyFun.com

Potty Training

I need help with training my daughter. The only time she goes is when she is really relaxed (naptime and night sleeping). I have her sit on the "potty" after she gets up, before nap, before bed at night and anytime she wants to but there has been nothing. Does it take along time for them to get the hang of it or is she still too young?

Twilight News

Ladies, I just read on Stephenie Meyer's blog that due to circumstances regarding the Harry Potter movie being delayed, Twilight will be released in theatres on November 21st now! Check it out!

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html

School Time Snack Ideas

Does anyone have any great school snack ideas? Claire's first grade class is asking for people to just randomly bring snacks in that the teacher can pass out before they go to recess. They need to be something easy and fast and preferably, not sugar. It all sounds great, but I think that the kids are gonna end up with a lot of pretzles and grahm crackers. Anyone have any other great ideas?

Love it!

Almost done reading it, if I could just hide from my kids for 2 seconds uggh! This book is Crazy!! My plan is to set the kids in front of the t.v. with lots of junk food so I won't have anymore interruptions except from my nursing baby Dallin! I hope this neglect towards my children will be successful! :)

Yummy Toffe Bark!!!!

Last night I hosted a recipe exchange and this is what I made.  It doesn't take long and it's pretty easy to make.  Also, you can make it a day or two before and just refrigerate or freeze it.  I've made it before and everyone LOVED it.  It's deadly because once you have just one bight, you'll want to eat it all.  So here's the recipe:

1 c. brown sugar (packed)

1 c. melted butter

1 pkg. Trader Joe’s semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Nabisco’s salted tops soda crackers

Trader Joe’s dry roasted unsalted almonds (chopped)

Preheat oven to 350.  Put foil over cookie sheet and spray with Pam butter flavor.  Place crackers salt side up on foil.  Melt butter then add brown sugar and stir over med. heat until it boils.  After sugar mixture has boiled for 3 minutes, pour over crackers and put in oven.  When it stars getting bubbly on top, turn oven down to 325 and let bubble for another 5 minutes.  Turn off oven and sprinkle choc. chips over mixture (crackers).  Leave in oven for 3 minutes.  They should be soft enough to spread evenly thereafter.  Sprinkle with chopped almonds and freeze for 45 minutes, or you may refrigerate.  Crack into pieces and enjoy!

Breaking Dawn

Who's read it and what did you think?

Don't read the comments if you haven't read or finished it and don't want to be spoiled.

Cheap Dates

I don't know how many of you have already read this article, but I thought it had some good ideas for inexpensive dates. We get most of our babysitting for free through a co-op, but when no one in the co-op can take a sit our dates are really costly. Once when we had a sorority girl babysit for us, the babysitting cost twice as much as what we spent on the date, which didn't seem right. With gas so expensive and the economy so bad, we've all got to cut corners where we can.