Addiction... Bloggers Anonymous Group?

Since I have started blogging, I find myself spending at least 30-45 minutes almost every night on the computer!! Often, the time is just spent browsing blogs or signing up for giveaways. Of course, e-mail must be checked and usually some free Digitreats end up getting downloaded. I must blame Knitterella for starting the blog addiction :-).

One of my favorite new finds are blog giveaways! As you may remember I won this contest back in February, and most recently I won a customized pair of earrings from this contest!!! I'll be sure to post pictures when they come in...they're travelling all the way from Finland!! I often like to let everyone know about some of my favorite giveaways that are going on. If you are the type that loves giveaways, as I do, here are a few of my faves right now. Enjoy!

• Win these awesome filigree earrings!
  http://nyspender.blogspot.com/2008/03/kipepeo-earrings-giveaway.html


• Teresa is holding a new contest over at her personal blog. Those entering have a chance at winning a lovely and uniquely designed half moon handbag by Patti. Teresa is also willing to ship the prize anywhere, so no matter where you live you can participate.
  


• Little Jet Set Travel Gear and Toys
• Robeez!! I am trying to win a pair!
  Check out the contest here!

Ode to a Mullet...

My sweet little boy had his first haircut last week. He was absolutely adorable! As you can see in the photos, he really seemed to like the salon chair; especially when I twirled him around in it! I was a little nervous how he would react to a strange woman w/scissors coming at him. He did absolutely great. LJ just sat there quietly, observing everything. Goodbye mullet...I kinda miss you...a little tiny bit.


**Thanks to DigiTreats for the Run Patterned Paper background**

Welcome Spring!!

YAY!! Spring is finally here! Although, it sure didn't feel like Spring today...I can see the light at the end of this LONG, COLD, SNOWY WINTER! I dug up some pictures from last Spring just to excite me a bit more. Take me to the playground...I'm ready! Mostly, I am so ready to get these toddlers out and about. I can't wait to just go out in the backyard and let em' run around! Last Spring/Summer was so fun w/the babes, but I have a feeling this year is really going to be a blast! Happy Spring ALL!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Hope it was nice and green!!

Race Sunday

No... not NASCAR! We're talkin' laundry basket drag races! LK and LJ had a blast cruisin' around the living room in the laundry basket tonight. We have been working on transitioning LK into one nap (LJ's not ready yet) and it was kind of a nightmare today...it happens.

It is amazing how much these two are changing every single day! LJ is surprising me w/all the words he is repeating, and LK can basically put together phrase after phrase. I purchased our first potty seat last week. I know that it is a bit early, but I read that you should have the seat in the bathroom for the child to get used to. Anyhow, LK is so funny with it. She always wants to sit on it. I'll ask her if she went to the bathroom and she'll say yes...pee pee (not really, though). Also, any potty training tips will be much appreciated in the comments area!

We are headed on a road trip to South Carolina in 2 weeks and it just hit me how much I need to do to get prepared! I am freakin' out a bit since we have never travelled more than 3 hours with LnL.

Oh...stay posted for LJ's first haircut this week. I have been scolded by many friends and family for the mullet that I have allowed to grow. I could put his hair in a ponytail if I wanted. Hey...in my biased opinion the boy is so stinkin' cute even with a mullet!!

The Web 2.0...how amazing!

For those of you that do not know...the Web 2.0 is basically websites that offer free services. I am going to share all of my favorites with you today and hopefully you will find at least one of them useful! Enjoy!

Also, I have a link over in Blogs I Peek At called go2web20. This is a blog hosted by the website of the same name. If you visit the actual website, you will find a complete directory to most, if not all, of the free services/websites available. In case you don't know, I teach computers at the middle and high school level. I am also teaching video editing this year. With $$ always tight in the school system, we often do not have the funds for new software. I often use some of these websites to spice up my lessons a bit! Many of my favorites listed below I just use for personal use.

Project Playlist (create a list of your favorite songs...and much more)
http://www.hulu.com/ (watch tv episodes, movies, and clips)
Snapfish (photo sharing website)
Shutterfly (photo sharing website)
Google Docs (share and collaborate documents)
Splashup (online image editing)
Dropshots (online photo/video sharing)
Picnik (online photo editing)
VoiceThread (hmm..hard to describe it all)
Smilebox (Create E-cards, Slideshows, etc.)
del.icio.us (organize bookmarks by tags)
Survey Monkey (full feature online survey tool)

Okay...I could just keep going and going! So, if you are looking for more, check out the link mentioned above or click on the picture!

Enjoy the Tunes!

So, I just created my very first music playlist! It was so exciting for me when I put the code in and clicked View Blog...to see if it actually worked! There are tons of sites where you can create playlists. I created mine at project playlist, which I basically know about because that is where my students create their myspace playlists. The hard part was trying to think of songs just off the top of my head to add! Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy the music! I will try to change it from now and then so you don't get bored with the songs...wait how could you ever be bored with these songs???!

Oh, in case you don't know...the playlist is at the bottom of the page!

Free Stuff for Kids

Another great giveaway! Free Stuff for Kids, which has great ideas for kid projects and activities, is giving away two great prizes! Choose from stringing beads by Melissa & Doug, and several cool bead kits by Haba. The other prize is a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com! I love all the toys by Melissa & Doug and the main reason is because they are all lead paint free guaranteed!! LnL have the 10-Piece Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks and also the Animal Sounds Blocks (both pictures above). So, if you're interested SIGN UP!

Let's Get This Party Started!

YOU ARE INVITED!!!

5 Minutes for Mom is having one big bash all this week and they are even offering prizes!! Check out the picture link above to learn more about the prizes! Join the party and you will meet other hip bloggin' ladies! It looks like there are over 500 moms partying as we speak! The cool thing about a blog party is that you don't need to put on any makeup or figure out what to wear because you never leave your house! Grab yourself a glass of wine, or a Slurpee in my case, and enjoy the party! Get mingling (a.k.a. commenting) and have fun! Also, you don't have to be a blogger to sign up for the prize drawing...but you do need to know how to have a good time! Nobody likes a party pooper.

For those of you visiting for the first time let me introduce myself. I am fairly new to the blogworld and just started about 3 months ago. My blog journals my life as a mother to toddler twins...one boy, one girl. I also blog about my life as a wife, teacher, novice crafter, and much more! I am so excited to meet all of you and thanks for stopping by!

My top ten favorite prizes that are being offered include:

1. Black and White Rocking Horse

2.Webcam from This Full House

3. Bead Dangle Photo Tile Necklace

4. Custom Tutu from Live Love Dance Boutique

5. Gift card toMy Mommy Bracelets

6. $25 Target card by Mommy Bytes

7. Gift card to Kids Magical Wonder

8. $20 Amazon card sponsored by Organized Knitting

9. Gift card to Cookie Lee jewelry

10. Pink Brick Box from Lego

Me Time!

Each year I have the opportunity to attend an educational conference with a couple of my colleagues. The location switches back and forth each year from Grand Rapids to Detroit so I always manage to find a little shopping time! I will be staying with a close friend who lives in G.R. so I am excited for that as well. Hopefully, we will get some dinner and drinks if time allows. I am always really excited for this conference because I come back with tons of teaching ideas and just end up feeling a little refreshed! The only problem is I have been limping around since yesterday morning! I think I may have broken my toe! As I was hurdling a baby gate, LK ran in front of me so I was forced to dodge her...the whole thing wasn't pretty all. Anyhow, my entire foot is black and blue! I will not let this spoil my overnight "me time" though!

The photo above is from a photo contest I entered at the conference last year. I was just playing around with the camera and took this shot of a chandelier. I ended up being a runner- up and winning a prize! The story behind this photo is hilarious, but much too long for me to share at this time. I'm going to try again this year!

I will post when I return!

Could it be???

My babies are 18 mos. old today! This just can't be...it has gone by too fast. They are officially considered toddlers as of 10:07 and 10:37 p.m.
LK's first pigtails!! I was so excited she had enough hair and also realized I need to work on my pig-tailing skills.