So Pinteresting! {Glitter Jar Edition}

 Teaching our kids to calm down when they are angry is a tough lesson. They don't want to listen to anything when they are upset and it can escalate easily to a full blown tantrum. I saw an idea for a mind jar and decided to give it a try.  

I used items I had on hand: a clean Miracle Whip jar, glitter glue, glitter and tap water. The jar in the pin is such a pretty blue, but I didn't have enough blue glitter so I mixed it up using red, blue, gold and silver glitter glue and gold and black regular glitter. The colors are darker than what I would like, but it was all free! 

I used black duct tape to prevent the lid from "accidentally" coming open. 

Our glitter jar.

 The idea is that when the kids get upset, they shake the glitter jar and have to watch it until the glitter settles. By then, the initial anger will pass and they will calm down.

Glitter jar love! 

So, does it work? I think so. We've only had to really use it twice (both times with Riley). He initially fights the idea, saying "I hate the glitter jar! It doesn't work!" But he is calmer once the glitter has settled.

It is pretty neat to watch. We keep it on the dining room table and every now and then someone will shake it just to watch it swirl.

I'd like to make another one out of lighter colors. We'll be the calmest home in town!

The pin leads to this website. She seems to have found the idea for the jar from this website.

What a Girl Wants, What a Girl Needs: Peer Pressure Edition

After saying I needed a few boppy covers, numerous people told me/commented that I should use my 'skills' and make them. This had crossed my mind, but I knew it would require effort and honestly I just don't want to do anything these days except sit and watch The Daily Show on my DVR. But I caved to the pressure and gave it a whirl. I found a tutorial online (there are only about 1.7 trillion links to one if you do a google search!) and found one that was pretty basic. So basic that I could have figured it out on my own. Anyway!

I just traced the slipcover I had onto some freezer paper, ironed the freezer paper to some cute material, cut, sewed and I came up with this:

I carefully pointed out a few flaws (and my toe) and put a baby in it...well, just because I could. This cover is a little snug, especially around the middle section. So the next one I'll make sure I cut a little bigger. I'm not sure I cut big enough for the seam allowance. I don't have a zipper big enough for it right now so I'm debating on whether or not to purchase a bigger zipper or go for the zipper's cheaper, easier sister Velcro. I'm also debating on whether or not to just use the cotton I have in my stash or find some soft knit to try.

 Once I actually got off my tookus and DID it, it really only took me about an hour tops and saved me $10-15. And it's a good thing I bought a second boppy, cause I may not be getting this one back.

How YOU doing?

It seems that I tend to blog about things and then just abruptly stop...(sorry mom!) so here is an update on the Rudd's thus far...

Riley is sleeping in his own bed! It was much easier than I thought it would be. I guess it was just time. He still puts up a little protest, but is content when you agree to read three books and watch some episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine. (Yes, my 2 1/2 yr old son has a tv in his room. I swore my kids would NOT have tv's in their room, especially so young! But it keeps him in his bed and allows us to watch something OTHER than Thomas and Friends.) He's such a good kid - says "please" and "thank you" and helps out with his sister. Little boys don't come any sweeter than this.

Brenna is a hibernating bear right now. She's moved up to eating 6 oz at a time and is CONSTANTLY SLEEPING! Last night, she slept from about 5 pm to 4:30 the next morning! She's growing like a weed and is so so sweet for the few hours she is awake. :-) She may look like her daddy, but she's as photogenic as her mom. Which is not at all. She's so precious when she smiles so I tried to catch a picture of her this afternoon and this is what I got...

Terrified Brenna

Brenna giving me the ol' stink eye.

And doing her best dead possum impression.

I did get ONE semi-blurry, but super sweet one. It showcases her pretty red hair.

Jeff is doing really well. Working hard among all the layoffs his company is doing. The RV industry is really awful in Elkhart County right now - the NY Times even did a story on how Elkhart is the "white hot center of the meltdown in the American economy". (Click here to read the story) Jeff works in IT (a.k.a. the computer guy) and not in the actual factories, so he does have some job security. I'm grateful to have a computer nerd for a husband! He's a good man and an awesome father.

Me - well, I'm good. I some how thought it would be a good idea to sign up for the craft fair at work, because I don't have enough on my plate with two kids, a house and a full time job. So I've been making cards like a mad woman. It's next week, so we'll see how I do! I've had some requests for my stuff already! I just hope I don't disappoint! I'll try and post some pictures of my creations before they are sold.

The whole "weight loss Wednesday" has been put on the back burner. I could come up with a thousand excuses why, but honestly my inner brat has won out recently and I just don't want to eat well and exercise. As much as I know I should and as good as I felt when I was going strong! I do really really really want to do the 5k that Mandy Hall is holding in March in honor of her son Connor. I am going to do it. I just need to get my brat in line. Like the Japanese proverb, Fall down seven times - stand up eight!

So what's up with you?

(p.s. how do you like the look of the Mighty B's blog?? I did the header myself! It only took me about four hours and a million google searches for tutorials on how to use Photoshop! HA! But now that I have it figured out, (sort of) I can't wait to make more! Start a blog! I'll design your header for you!! Only $29.95!)

Cool Scrapbooking Class

I found info on this class at Cathy Zielske's website. I've never taken one of Jessica Sprague's classes, but she always has some really neat stuff. I'm very interested in learning more about digital scrapbooking (I'm not sure how much of that will be in this class...) and especially learning new ways of looking at scrapbooking. It looks pretty cool - and it's FREE! - so I signed up. Anyone else interested in taking it with me??

Go HERE for more info!