Scrapbooking vs. saving photos from the scrap heap
Stickers, acid-free paper, fine-line pens, cricut, stamps, stencils, sequins, ribbon, twine … the list is endless of the tools and intricate items you’ll want to buy when you start scrapbooking.
My sister and niece are avid scrapbooking fans, and they have the craftily designed photo books to prove it.
Me? I have a scrapbook my sister made for me when my son was born, another she made for my husband’s birthday, and pages that she mostly assisted on. Even with years of buying paper, stickers and special scissors … and making sure to collect tickets and items from vacation destinations and snap photos to fit a theme page … my scrapbooking efforts are primarily a “scrap” heap.
So, I decided this past weekend to do something a little crazy.
I uploaded our vacation, family and first-day-of-school photos to Walgreen’s, picked up the photo order, bought a photo album and spent 5 minutes carefully sliding the paper memories into their protective sleeves.
Voila!
Not exactly crafty — although I was tempted to buy sticky sequins and place them haphazardly throughout the album – but I was done.
Later that day, my daughter was sitting on the couch, and she was flipping through the photo album.
So, the next day, I did it again. I ordered more prints and bought two more albums.
My kids love looking at family photos. Instead of making these family memories accessible, I had been storing them on discs or my computer desktop or stuffing them in envelopes with plans to crop and scrapbook.
I just needed to realize that sometimes a simple approach is still OK.
– Linda Lynn
Mother’s Day – What I want most
5 going on 15
It seems like it was just last week I was pushing around my little man in a stroller … able to contain him in any environment – the mall, the zoo, the arts festival.
But just a few short weeks ago, my baby turned 5 and I found myself registering him for kindergarten, setting up his big-boy bed in his room, and holding my breath as he went on the kiddie roller-coaster at the local amusement park.
Of course, it was a nonstop celebration to honor Hunter’s turning 5. It was a day he’d been anxious for and with all the begging and pleading, it still couldn’t come quick enough for him. For me? It’s always too quick.
A week full of a visit from Gwennie (as grandma is so affectionately called) culminated in the party of the century with a big dancing, talking mouse (any guesses?). A chocolate-only cake, decorated in Star Wars fashion was on the menu, topped with Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker with real working light sabres (it doesn’t get cooler than that). Friends, family and even a girlfriend (yes, girlfriend!) made the event extra special for my little guy.
And it seems things have changed overnight. My 5-year-old is already going on 15. The phrases he uses, the facial expressions, the eye-rolls … the ones that say “Mom, you are so not cool” when I’m trying to make him laugh. Worrying about giving his mom kisses in public … worrying about whether his jeans are “regular” or “skinny” and if his shirt is tucked just right. He’ll readily stick up for friends if they find themselves on the receiving end of a bully’s push. And he still manages to tell me how pretty he thinks I am and but now adds how he thinks I should wear my hair.
He’s truly turning into his own little man. As fast as it goes, it gets better every day.
-Erica Smith
It’s hot in there – Don’t leave children and dogs in parked cars
As the temperature rises, it’s getting warmer … but it’s even hotter inside your vehicle.
Don’t leave your children or pets inside your parked cars.
Would you want to be locked in a car with temperatures more than 100 degrees?
According to AAA, “On a summer day in Oklahoma, the inside temperature of a car can reach more than 100 degrees in just a short time. Heatstroke can occur in an adult when the temperature reaches 104 degrees and death can occur at 107 degrees; for a child, it is less.”
You might think you’re going to be “just a minute,” or maybe that ”it’s not that hot outside, so it must be OK in the car.”
But, you’re wrong. A minute can turn into 5, which can turn into 10, which can turn into half an hour. If you throw a hot car into the scenario, you’re putting your loved ones in jeopardy.
AAA also warns owners to keep their automobiles locked at all times when they’re not in use, so a curious child doesn’t become trapped in the vehicle.
Here are safety tips from AAA:
- Never leave a child unattended in a car, even for a minute, and even if the windows are tinted or down. The same recommendations apply to pets and the elderly.
- Never leave car keys where children have access to them.
- Keep doors locked and windows closed at all times, even when the vehicle is in the garage or on a driveway.
- Make sure all children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination.
Don’t leave anyone behind:
- When you first place a child in a car seat in the back seat of the car, also open the glove compartment door, flip down the passenger side visor or put a purse in the back seat. These actions can serve as visual reminders that a child is in the back seat.
- If you see a child alone in a locked, parked car, immediately call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
March for Babies May 7 at State Fair Park
The March of Dimes annual March for Babies is planned for Saturday, May 7, at State Fair Park.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the program beginning at 9 a.m.
The day also will include a DJ, children’s carnival games and activities, a bounce house, face painting, team photos, food and a visit from Rumble during registration.
Funds raised by March for Babies in Oklahoma help support prenatal wellness programs, community grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.
The fee is $10 per walker.
For more information about the event, visit March for Babies or call (405) 943-1025
Goodnight, Sweet Dreams … Why is everyone still talking?
After my daughter saw a spider on her bed – tis the season of springtime creepy crawlies – she spent a few nights in her sister’s room on the trundle.
She complained, though, that her younger sister talked in her sleep. I told her she used to do that, too, and to be more tolerant, especially since she was the visitor.
A few days later, she ended up sleeping in my room, too, since she had worn out her welcome elsewhere. Early the next morning before she awoke, she started yelling, “No!” in an argumentative tone. She was obviously arguing with someone in a dream. I was hoping it wasn’t me.
Last night, my youngest son started talking in his sleep … “mml…go” … which, in his language, is “Wanta go,” which he loves to do.
So, within a week’s time, all my children have been talking in their sleep.
What does this mean? I would guess it has something to do with unrestful sleep. All have either been sick, suffering from allergies or just tired.
Of course, it was a full moon recently, too.
–Linda Lynn
Earth Day! Let’s celebrate!
Friday is Earth Day. Most of us spend every waking and sleeping hour on this planet.
We call it home, but sometimes we take it for granted.
What could you do to give back to our big blue marble?
- Plant a tree. (or a bush or a seed)
- Walk instead of driving. (or skip, run, dance)
- Ride a bicycle. (or a cow, horse or unicycle)
- Share a commute with a neighbor or co-worker, or take public transportation. (And share good conversation on the way!)
- Volunteer to help clean up your local park or neighborhood. (Start with your own yard.)
- Use reuseable shopping bags, buy less and consider food packaging. Do you really need a separate plastic produce bag for lemons, limes, squash and onions. Go sans plastic bags, since you’re going to wash them anyway. (And use the food you buy. Don’t waste it and let it rot for a couple of weeks in the fridge.)
- Take shorter showers. (Turn water on, turn off, soap up, turn water on and do a quick rinse. Done!)
- Use less pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals around your home. Or stop using unfriendly products altogether. (You might not have the prettiest lawn in the neighborhood, but you’ll feel safe having your kids play there.)
- Spend the evening watching a sunset — not the TV. (The color reception is so much better.)
- Play outside. (Bouncing balls, Hula-hoops and horseshoes are more Earth-friendly than living room-friendly.)
- Take your children on a nature hike, sharing appreciation of our environment. (Don’t touch the poison ivy!)
Share your Earth-celebrating ideas with The Oklahoman and our readers. You might inspire someone else to follow your example.
–Linda Lynn
Do your kids make you laugh? Share and win
Chicken of the Sea is launching the Chicken of the Sea Funniest Kids’ Quotes Contest™, asking parents to submit the funniest remarks their child has ever said with the contest winners being chosen by popular public vote.
That funny gem could win your family a trip to a Disney park, or a cash prize of $1,000 or $500.
Parents are encouraged to visit Chicken of the Sea on Facebook and submit a short, written description showcasing their child’s funny comment or question. The contest submission period will end June 6.
Starting June 7, contest participants are encouraged to get their Facebook friends to vote for them once per day. Voting ends June 28. The grand-prize winner, first runner-up and second runner-up will be announced July 7.
During the contest submission period, Chicken of the Sea will also be giving away prize packs to one random contest entrant each Friday.
Car seat recommendations change
The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its stance and guidelines on infant car seats.
The AAP now advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.
The previous standard was 12 months/20 pounds as a minimum for facing backward.
To read the full report, go to www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/carseat2011.htm.
A reference guide for all age groups can be found at www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Coupon was pot ‘o gold
Thank you, coupon fairy!
I had stopped by a local store to pick up a few items, and there, on top of the diaper boxes, was a $2 off coupon for the item I wanted.
Someone had shared from their own coupon collection, and though I’ve seen stray coupons scattered with products at stores before, today was my day to take advantage of the gift.
While $2 might not seem like much, it adds up.
Inspired by my daughter’s Lent sacrifice of all softdrinks, I decided to give up everything Starbucks and sweet tea.
These sugary drinks and the food I always bought to accompany them were becoming an addiction that was bleeding my purse of $3 here, $5 there and $7 from somewhere!
The tall, decaf, no-whip, peppermint mocha was my little reward — and for “me” time.
I’m not saying I’ll never drink one again, but I needed to put my “little” expenses into perspective.
Although I never saw my dad with a cigarette in his hand, he would tell a story of how he quit, cold turkey, once he realized he could have bought a car with the money he had spent on his habit.
I don’t think my beverage expenses will even come close to buying a car – but maybe a set of tires for a car.
With so many costs related to basic living needs, my children, their schools, doctor visits, etc. and the desire to be able to maybe afford another home someday, I’m taking a second look at my budget — one cup at a time.
Linda Lynn
