Happy New Year!

It's New Year's Eve and I'm finally getting around to the obligatory New Year's Resolution post. Yep, that's right. I'm blogging on New Year's Eve instead of partying like it's 2010. I actually can't recall the last New Year's Eve that the Hubs and I went to a party. I know it had to have been at least 3 years ago since I haven't been to an evening soiree since my daughter was born. Crazy, I know. Whatever. We had a nice evening at a friend's, dinner and sports watching, and we are back home where we will ring in the New Year, just the two of us. The the kids are asleep and we are watching football. It's nice, it's normal, it's low key and laid back. That's how we roll.

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about my resolutions for 2010 and here's what I've come up with.

Eat in more than we eat out - This one may not sound too tough but believe me when I say this could be very hard.

Do more active family activities - Like hiking, geocaching, tennis.

Find a church to attend - I need to stop thinking about it and just do it.

Resume running and entering 5K's - Once it warms up the training begins.

Use the wii - It has been collecting dust since last Christmas.

and the most important resolution...

Be the best wife and mother that I can be - Now this resolution I can and will keep!

What is your most important resolution for 2010? Whatever it is, I know you can keep it. Make it your priority. Tell yourself you can and will do it. You can do anything you put your mind to!

Happy New Year!

I'm taking the challenge!

I was not raised going to church or with any religious affiliation at all. I never had much of a relationship with God, other than I believed in Him. Throughout my life I have always felt pretty ignorant when it came to religion and more specifically the teachings of the Bible. Over the last year my relationship with God has become stronger but my ignorance of the Bible remains the same. I want to learn. I need to learn. I will learn!

As fate always happens, I came across a tweet about #B90DAYS and checked it out. "What is that all about?" I wondered. And there it was. Blog thru the Bible in 90 days hosted by Mom's Toolbox. She has organized an online community of readers to share in this adventure. There will be a weekly check-in post where we can comment, which will help us be accountable, and every Monday night she'll be hosting a Twitter party so we can discuss the readings.

I am excited to get started! This is exactly the jump start I needed. A new challenge to start the new year, and what a spiritual challenge it will be! It's going to be an amazing journey and I'd love for you to come along!

Want to join in? Head on over to The Bible in 90 Days and sign up to receive helpful tips and encouragement. Once you do that, link up at Mom's Toolbox. I have a feeling this is going to be life changing! :)

Silly Haiku Wednesday - Aftermath

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week's theme is: Aftermath

Christmas is over
and all the presents opened.
Did you recycle?

From last week alone,
Extra million tons of waste.
How's that aftermath?!



Now go on over to You know...that Blog? and add your Haiku to the list! You know you want to!

Our Year in Review

Where has the year gone? It's hard to believe that we are getting ready to start a new one. The past year has been such a blur. Lots of work, lots of play, and a whole lot of changes. Thankfully, the changes have been good.

On the work front, we (I) have adjusted to the Hubby working more hours and although the economy is down, our family business is doing very well. Our eBay business has done very well too, which means my work load has definitely increased. I'm always busy, but somehow I have managed to do it all - take care of the kids, work for the family biz and sell lots of stuff on eBay! We are blessed to have such good fortune in these times of economic turmoil!

It is amazing how much the munchkins have changed in a year. The little tornadoes kiddos continue to grow like weeds! The boy is no longer a helpless little baby and the girl is becoming such a big girl, full of attitude personality.

Bubby is now a full fledged toddler, toddling around and exploring the world around him. He is beginning to say a few words and has even started taking longer naps (as opposed to his infamous cat naps)! Though he's getting so big, he's still loving the mama milk and weaning is nowhere in sight. There are no two words that can light up that boy's face more than "mama milk". He really is the sweetest little boy ever!

Cakes has grown over 4 inches in the last 6 months and seems to be fairly tall for her age. She continues to be a bundle of energy and loves doing gymnastics once a week and riding ponies whenever we can. Her love of dress up and princess stuff has waned and her new love is anything dinosaur related. Her absolute favorite dino is the Spinosaurus. She recently got a new haircut and looks like such a big girl now. Regardless of how big she's getting, she'll always be mama's little girl...and it appears she'll always be addicted to mama hair!

I had a year of transformation as well, and fortunately it did not involve growing! In July, I began the Body After Baby Fit by Labor Day Challenge. It was just the jump start I needed to get back to my pre-baby shape. I began running and participated in my first 5K since college. I have run 2 more 5K's since and actually won a prize in my age category on Thanksgiving Day! Unfortunately, I haven't run since then, but the good news is I have stayed at 108 pounds, MY ideal weight! Once the weather warms again, I plan to resume running and racing...cause bikini weather is just around the corner!

As each year ends I am amazed at how quickly it passed. The older I get the faster the time seems to race by. This year the Hubs and I have been together for 14 years and celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. That seems so crazy! I remember our courtship like it was yesterday but yet it seems like so long ago. Our lives have changed so much...especially since the birth of our children. And as cliche as the saying is, it's true, the kids grow up so quickly!

It has been a great year and I am so glad that I documented a lot of it here on my little piece of the blogosphere. It's nice to be able to look back at old posts and relive the moments. And one day my children will be able to look back and get a glimpse of our life from my point of view. I think that's pretty cool!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by my little ol' blog this year! I hope your 2009 was your best year yet!

One Size Cloth Diaper Event

I am so excited for the One Size Cloth Diaper Event over at Take time to smell the Rose. It starts January 1st and is featuring 22 different brands of one sized cloth diapers. The last time I participated in a cloth diaper event I won a diaper! I'm excited to win again! Gotta keep the positive thoughts. I'm all about wishful thinking!

From the Mouth of Cakes - Friendly Neighbor

A week ago we were doing some last minute shopping (for me!) and we ran into one of our neighbor's. He was waiting for a ride home but instead of him having to wait around, we offered him a ride. On the way home, somehow the conversation turned to our family sleeping arrangements, and that Cakes slept with us.
Cakes then proceeded to tell our neighbor,

"Chris, if you have a bad dream and you get scared, you can come and sleep in the bed with us, too!"

Now that's being a friendly neighbor!

Guest Blogging @ You know...that Blog? - The Eco-Cheap Guide to Gift Wrapping

I am guest blogging today at You know... that Blog? !

I discovered Jenn's blog via her fun meme, Silly Haiku Wednesday. I was hooked from the very first time I participated. A few weeks ago, she held a Haiku Challenge where the person who sent the most new haikuers would win a guest blog spot. I won with a sum total of 1 referral. LOL! Thanks Erin! A win's a win, right?!

This was my very first time guest blogging. I was nervous but very excited for the opportunity and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Now head on over there and check out The Eco-Cheap Guide to Gift Wrapping!

Snow day!

We had our first snow of the winter. Cakes was so excited to play in the snow, so we all headed out for some wintertime fun. Of course it took forever to get ready, but it was worth it!

 

Cakes and Bubby attempt to sled with Daddy's help.

Not so succesful!

But it was kind of fun to hang out on the sled.

And really fun throwing snowballs...

and building a snowman of sorts.

And even though it's easiest to just sit here...

because trying to walk or move in all this bulky stuff is next to impossible...

A great time was had by all! Best friends forever!

Silly Haiku Wednesday - Guilty Pleasure?

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week's theme is: Guilty Pleasure?

Something so simple
as a shower sans kids. Hmm?
Guilty pleasure, no?



Now go on over to You know...that Blog? and add your Haiku to the list! You know you want to!

And the winner of the $25 EnviroVogue Giftcard is...

Julie with comment 62:

I would get the pink damask tote, b&w dot mini tote and the pink dot tote

aunteegem@yahoo.com

12/15/2009 1:18 PM

Congratulations Julie! You now have 48 hours to contact me with your info.

Number was generated using Random.org true random number generator.

Online Shopping - Saving my sanity and the earth!

The winter holiday season is upon us. Black Friday is a distant memory and the winter holiday's are just around the corner. Consumerism has taken over and holiday shopping is in full swing! Can you believe there is just over 2 weeks until Christmas? That means 2 weeks to get all of my holiday shopping completed. Yikes! I better get a move on it!

I personally do not enjoy shopping, so I try to keep it to a minimum. I have done the majority of my shopping already...one trip to Kohl's' with a 30% off coupon. Now that's how I like to shop! Quick, easy, and cheap! I definitely try to stay away from the mall this time of year! I can't stand it. Crazy traffic, crazy drivers, no parking, crowded stores. Ugh. No thanks!

But my most favorite way to shop is online, from the comfort of my home, after the kids are in bed. I can browse to my hearts content and seek out the best deals without worrying about losing a kid or calming a shopped out mama child. And I've come to learn that shopping online is green!

Really? Really!
Shopping online uses approximately one third less energy than traditional retail, as long as you skip express airmail.

Cool! I love discovering how my cheap ways are also eco-friendly! I am a Green Queen in ways that I didn't mean! LOL! ;)

Silly Haiku Wednesday - Spirit of Giving

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week's theme is: Spirit of Giving (Specifically, what you're doing to share the joy this season)

Clothes to keep them warm.
Toys for children with nothing.
Hope for those without.



Now go on over to You know...that Blog? and add your Haiku to the list! You know you want to!

Merry SITSmas!

Merry SITSmas, from our family to yours!

May your holiday be filled with
PEACE, LOVE, and HAPPINESS!

What is “Merry SITSmas”? Well, it's a bloggy carnival with a prize every hour and lots and lots of comments. So head on over to SITS and check it out!

EnviroVogue Bags - A Review...and Giveaway!

Doing the green thing isn't always convenient. There are times when it actually takes an effort. And although most of my green ways revolve around saving some green, I am trying very hard to adopt other ways that are just plain good for the environment.

One way that I have made a huge effort is by using reusable bags. In the past, I would often forget my bags in the car or when I would remember to get them, they wouldn't be in the car because I had left them at home. I also only used them for grocery shopping. It honestly never even occurred to me to use them for all of my other shopping. Duh! But not anymore.

This Eco-Cheap Mom is now the Eco-Chic Mom with my new bags from EnviroVogue. These eco-friendly bags are gorgeous and that makes me WANT to take them with me and show them off! I will not leave the house without my bags. And you'd better believe I'm proudly toting my cute bags in every store I enter.

I think I might be driving the hubby crazy with my bags. Seriously. He feels the need to explain to the sales clerks that I don't need their plastic bags because I am green. He also thinks it's pretty humorous to refer to me as the Eco-Cheap Mom...like "Oh yeah, I forgot. You're the Eco-Cheap Mom." Whatever! He'll get it one day.

Anyway, these cute bags from EnviroVogue are not only eco-friendly, they also support a great cause. Every one of their bags supports a different cause!



The Pink Damask Multi-Tote that I received is not only gorgeous, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of it helps support Susan G. Komen for the Cure! This large (15" x 14" x 8") tote is super strong and tough enough to hold 25 pounds. Now that's a lot of groceries, clothes, or whatever that will fit in this bag!



And all of the Dot Style Totes support Feeding America to help end hunger in America. I received the Pink Dot Mini-Tote which is the perfect size (11" x 9" x 5") for a quick run to the store, for carrying your lunch, or even as a gift bag. The uses are endless!

All of their stylish bags are made with woven polypropylene and have a glossy, water-repellent coating which makes them super strong and easy to clean. They also have long handles which enable you to carry them over your shoulder. It's so much easier to carry a bag on your shoulder than on your arm when trying to hold your baby, or hold your child's hand. What a smart design!

I am loving my EnviroVogue Bags and they allow me to, as they say "Look good while doing good."

And now for the fun part. You too can get some of these fabulous bags! EnviroVogue has offered one of my reader's a $25 gift card redeemable at their site. That would pay for about 2 – 3 bags (depending on ones you choose), plus the shipping too!

To Enter:

Visit EnviroVogue and tell me what you would purchase with your $25. Be sure to leave your email address in your comment.

After completion of this entry you are eligible for these additional entries. Remember to leave a separate comment for each additional entry and include your e-mail address!

*2 entries - Follow my blog publicly through Google friend connect. If you already follow, that counts too! (Leave separate comments for each entry. For example: "I follow #1" and "I follow #2".)

*1 entry - Subscribe to my blog via email. The sign up box is on my right sidebar.

*2 entries - Blog about this giveaway. Be sure to link back to my site and leave the URL where you blogged in your comment. (Leave separate comments for each entry. For example: "I blogged about your giveaway #1" and "I blogged about your giveaway #2".)

*1 entry - Follow ecocheapmom on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.

*Daily entries - Tweet daily for additional entries. One per day. Please leave a link to your tweet and don't forget to mention @ecocheapmom in your tweet. Feel free to tweet this: Win a $25 gift card to EnviroVogue Bags! @ecocheapmom is hosting a giveaway! http://bit.ly/5Wt6qb

Good Luck!

Giveaway ends Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 9:00 p.m.(EST). The winner will be drawn by the random number generator at Random.org and will be notified by email and announced on this blog. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.

***EnviroVogue sent me these products review. I was not compensated in any other way and the statements above are my own honest opinion.***

Earth's Best Tot's and Sesame Street - A Review

I try my best to feed my children healthy and natural foods. It was easy when they were babies, when they ate only the baby food that I made for them. All of their food was made with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The only non-mama made food that they ate was baby cereal. My baby cereals of choice were the Earth's Best Cereals. I chose this brand because they are organic, made with whole grains, and contain no genetically engineered ingredients, salt, refined sugars, or preservatives. And they were reasonably priced compared to the other organic options! Organic AND reasonably priced. Now that made this Eco-Cheap Mom happy!

Now that both of my children eat whatever we eat, it's a bit more of a challenge to feed them healthily all of the time. We eat out a lot as well, and that makes it tough too. But I try my best to always carry some fresh fruit in my bag. An apple, some grapes, a banana, are all great options. I also like to keep some healthy snacks in there as well. Some O's, some whole grain crackers, granola bars, etc. Yes, my bag gets pretty full, and heavy, and messy, but I am always prepared for any hunger emergencies!

Anyway, I was pretty excited when I was contacted by Earth's Best to try some of their Earth's Best Tots and Earth's Best Sesame Street products. I was sent the Cherry Cereal Bars, the Honey Graham Organic Crunchin' Blocks, and the Sesame Street Honey Nut Organic On-the-go O's Cereal.



As I said before, I really like their products because they are made with organic, non-genetically engineered ingredients,and are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. And I really like that these products are specially formulated for toddlers. But the real test is if my kiddos like to eat them. Who cares if they are good for them if they don't want to eat them?!

Up first, the cereal bars. I tried a bite and they are good. They remind me of Nutragrain bars, just mini size and organic. They are the perfect size for my 3 year old, and she likes them! She ate the entire bar and asked for another. The little guy liked them too, but he only eats a couple of bites at a time. They are individually wrapped so I can throw a couple in my bag and go. But beware. They will pretty much disintegrate if left in your bag for very long. It's a good thing the kids eat them up before that happens. We give them 3 thumbs up!

Next, the On-the-Go O's. They taste like Honey Nut O's. They are tasty and a great pre-meal snack/appetizer or an anytime snack. I keep them in a little tupperware in my bag and always have them available. Both kids like them and are always in the mood for some O's. I was a bit surprised that the 3 year old would like them, but whenever I get some out for the Bubby, she always wants some too! So, the O's get 3 thumbs up!

Lastly, the Honey Graham Organic Crunchin' Blocks. My daughter says "These are the best cookies I have ever had!" She seriously said that! Now, I'd have to disagree. I have definitely tasted a better cookie. Can you say Oreo's?! Double stuff Oreo's!!! Mmmm! Anyway, these are pretty good. And the boy likes them too. I think it's great that they have letters on them. Cakes must name the letter before I'll give her the cookie. So, not only do they taste good and are good for them, they are educational as well! Another 3 thumbs up!

I have been very impressed with these three products. They are perfect for when we are out and about, or for an easy and quick snack at home. It's nice to have a nutritious snack that the kids love and that I don't have to prepare. Healthy, organic, easy. What's not to love?

***Earth's Best sent me these products review. I was not compensated in any other way and the statements above are my own honest opinion.***

Silly Haiku Wednesday - Challenge!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week's theme is: Challenge!

Me. Competitive?
It's true. I love a challenge.
Even 'bout Haiku!



Now go on over to You know...that Blog? and add your Haiku to the list! You know you want to! And be sure to comment that I sent you, 'cause if I send the most new Haiku-ers over I'll get to guest blog on December 20th. :)