I Did It 2It’s official. National Blog Posting Month (fondly known as NaBloPoMo) is over and I’m a winner. In fact, not only did I write 30 posts in 30 days, I actually wrote thirty-one posts in 30 days. I’ve always been an over-achiever. Or something. The real reason is because Blogging United Fight for Preemies fell on BigBrother’s birthday. Hence the extra post.

So yes, I churned out a post everyday for a month. I’m tired. I have nothing else to say. My brain is mush. That said, I did have a few posts that I enjoyed, like the boys separate birthday posts. Politically, I reminded people that we don’t just vote once every four years (and, good news, my husband gets to keep his job). We got the dreaded swine flu and lived to tell about it… apparently. Photography wise, I enjoyed some great Wordless Wednesday captures, flu ones included, and participated in all but one You Capture challenge this month (1, 2, 3). (You Capture is hosted by Beth of I Should Be Folding Laundry.)

The biggest challenge for me during this year’s NaBloPoMo was blogging on the weekend. I started a series I called Weekend Outtakes which was basically a picture (or two) and a brief description of our day. Much easier than the deep, thoughtful, introspective stuff I normally churn out. Right? Ahem. Amusingly, I only almost forgot to blog once. I had just snuggled down under the covers at my fairly early self-imposed bedtime when I sat up and said, “I forgot to blog!” I got it up there well before midnight as I’m a big loser awesome and go to bed early. Win.

So, yes, I’m a winner this year. The little graphic on my sidebar says so. And the one on this post. I’m thorough.

As for December, I’ve created my December desktop. I went with this desktop from Eva Kipler Designs this month for three reasons: 1) Christmas-y without annoying me or being pink and annoying me, 2) room for two pictures, 3) the one picture space fit our dorky family picture I took last month. Win, win, win. I needed room for two pictures because while I knew I wanted our dorky family picture, I also needed a photo of myself and that gorgeous husband of mine as our anniversary is also in December. Everybody now, “Awww.” See?

December 2009 Desktop

December should be a busy month. (See also: OMG! I’m alone for 10 days!) While I have no intention of blogging everyday, I do have a lot to say so it’s all very well and good. We’ve got normal holiday requirements (parties, get togethers, concerts to attend) along with Munchkin’s birthday, my parents’ anniversary, our anniversary, lots of writing, lots of work and a bunch of other stuff. Today I’m going to put on my Insanity Cap and take the boys to get their pictures taken with Santa.

Furthermore, I hope to keep in the true spirit of this season. Yes, it’s busy. Yes, I’m stressed out and mostly alone with the kids for a large chunk of the month. But it’s my favorite time of year. Why? Because of things like what Burgh Baby has done. She gives me hope. I’m cried when I read that post. I have to believe that people are generally as good-hearted as my friend. Similarly, I do believe that FireDad and I are going to “Elf Someone” when he is home this weekend. What about you? What are you doing this month?

This week is Fire Prevention Week. If you have children in some form of school, you might see them come home with papers on fire safety. You might hear that a fire truck has visited their school or that they took a walk to the local fire station. While the involvement of firefighters and fire departments in our kids’ school is beyond beneficial, the truth is that you can start at home, well before your kids head to preschool. It’s never too early to start talking about fire safety. This week I’ll be bringing you tips, book reviews and other great things about fire safety.

Today I though I would bring you some links so that you can utilize the Internet as you teach your children about the importance of fire safety. Even very young children can utilize Internet sites, whether for games, for reading or for printing coloring pages. All they need is you to help them locate the sites, work on whatever the site offers and to explain the importance of each site and safety tip. Here are some of my favorites.

1. The National Fire Prevention Week website actually has some great resources for parents and kids. Things like the Fire Safety Inspection Checklist (.pdf) and the Fire Safety Information card are great activities to complete with older children. The arcade on site provides for a fun way to bring a discussion about fire safety into your learning process. For the youngest set, a coloring page with Sparky is made available that highlights the important things to remember to prepare for and in the midst of a fire emergency.

2. Sprout, the PBS kids channel, has a great Fire Safety Week program going on right now, including on their website. This site provides more coloring pages, including a counting one, a Fireman Sam one and some others. (A fun thing on the Sprout site allows for you to upload a picture of your kids’ artwork once it has been completed for others’ viewing pleasure on the website! Cool!) There are also some videos on their Fire Safety page.

3. USFA Kids (US Fire Administration) has a great site that combines pertinent information (Home Fire Safety, Smoke Alarms, and Escaping from a Fire) with some games (Crossword Puzzles, Coloring Pages, a test to be a Jr. Fire Marshal among other things). I found this site to be particularly easy to navigate for a computer-independent child who wants to learn on her own.

4. Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is one of my favorite programs regarding fire safety. Sparkles’ owner, Firefighter Dayna, is passionate about fire safety (just like we are!). They’re actually part of the Fire Safety Week on Sprout this year! Their site offers more activity pages, GREAT fire safety videos and crafts.

These are just some great online resources for you, as a parent, to help your children understand the importance of fire safety. As a parent you need to know these things as well. First and foremost, know your house’s floor plan and make a fire escape plan should an emergency occur. Teach things as simple as “stop, drop and roll” and the importance of getting low should the hallway be filled with smoke. As you help your child navigate the online resources for learning about fire safety, make sure you’re up-to-date on all of your knowledge. Your family’s lives depend on it!

Tomorrow I will have a review of some younger child storybooks that also highlight some fire safety points. Be sure to tune in all week as I bring you various tips, fun pictures and other pertinent facts on fire safety. (Also, as this is October and Halloween is just around the corner, check out our review of the best firefighter costume on the market right now, pictured above.)

I'm An Expert!

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Jul 012008

No, really. I’m a Baby Expert over at Wishpot! I’m the Cloth Diapering expert, of course. What’s Wishpot? Ever wanted to make a registry but liked too many things at too many different stores? Wishpot solves that problem. Create a registry from any combination of stores online and let your friends and family know what your baby really needs! Join up and create your list now. (Of note: you don’t have to create just a baby registry/list. Save things you like on your own wishlist!)

I just found a site that has Rockin Baby Ring Slings for $45.00. If you’re not familiar, these slings retail for over $100.00. That’s right. So, that’s a deal times two. I would buy one for myself (that first one, omgoodness, is beautiful) but I just purchased a water ring sling as we’ve been spending so much time at the lake and in pools and so on. I just thought I’d pass the deal info on to someone who need it! Hurry. They seem to be selling quickly.

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