Another Make Your Own Idea

Here's a great idea that I found to entertain your cats, along with a project for your children to help with.

Make your own Kitty Condo.

Make Your Own Diaper Wipes

Save time and Money! Make your own wipe without using harsh chemicals and fragrance found in commercial diaper wipes.

Here's the recipe from my sister

One roll of Viva paper towels (must be single-ply towels)
2 cups of hot water
2 TBSP of Olive Oil
1 TBSP Dr Bronner's Pure Castile Soap (I use peppermint, others like lavender)



Cut in the paper towels in half using a saw like knife (or a saw)
Mix all of the other ingredients in a tupperware container. Place the smooth side of the papertowels into the bowl. Once soaked, flip over to wet the other side.
Seal with the lid, and you have the softest, diaper wipes on the planet.

Dream Job: Stay-at-Home Mom

So it really can be a dream job. For instance, today was a remarkable day. The girls played together all morning without fighting, so I was able to prepare my gourmet meal for dinner tonight. I baked Eggplant enchiladas' s out of the Moosewood cookbook! I even cleaned the kitchen before the girls woke up.

Read here for an interesting article about the dream job of staying at home.

Exercising with Two Kids in Tow

I was determined to continue to exercise as a stay at home mom, without having to join a gym.

I remember my stay at home dad friend mentioning that he does yoga with his two girls, and they all get a little exercise together this way. So on occasion, I too give it a try, but find yoga videos with the girls a little frustrating at the present life stages for the one year old. All she wants to do is climb all over me while I lie on the floor, so I think the yoga gig is going to have to wait a few more months.

My new solution- bike riding. I load up the car the night before we head out, so I don't back out of it due to the hassle of organizing the trip with two kids hanging on me at every moment. I purchased one of those amazing bike trailers that seats two kids. With this attached to the back of my bike, not only am I getting a great work out, but it entertains the kids for awhile too.

I load the trailer up with a few toys that they don't historically fight over, along with frozen juice boxes, and a few snacks such as raisins and trail mix. All loaded up, we are good for about a 10 mile ride.

Without a Drop

We woke up this morning without a drop of water in our pipes. My husband had to leave the house for work without a shower. Luckily I filled the coffee maker with water the night before, so we were able to function at some level.

So what do you do without water? The good news is that one has an excuse not to clean the house. How can you clean without water? Laundry- not today thanks. Dishes, no way.

So the fun began. The three of us set out on a walk to look at the bulldozers and jack hammers. We asked the water workers if they had an estimated completion time, for which they said a few hours. With that said, it became a celebration day.

Unshowered (which I told my friend Karen, was something I would never let happen as a stay at home mom- I really don't want to look like a soap opera, junk food eating mom) But today, the whole neighborhood was without a shower, so I thought it was acceptable.

After the walk around the block, we went back for the bike and stroller, and took another ride around the block. After that, we rode the bike and stroller up to Graeters to celebrate a day without water with generally forbidden doughnuts. We took the treats, along with sippy cups of milk to the public water fountain at the center of the neighborhood and ate our sweets while we watched the water splash out of the sculpture. After we finished, we washed our hands in the fountain, rode the bikes/stroller back- all in time to return for my one year old child's morning nap.

Out of the Funk

I heard from my one dedicated reader that I haven't updated Stuntmom in awhile. For this, I apologize. I've been in a bit of a Funk with my new career choice. I expected this to happen, but I really didn't expect it so soon. I figured over the winter some sort of panic over the big life change would happen, but here I was in the middle of the summer with a feeling of gloom. I was having a little trouble doing anything social, or even motivating the family to do anything fun. I requested my husband to start planning a few activities over the weekend, so I wasn't responsible for motivating the troops to leave the house 7 days a week. Hopefully this coming weekend will be filled with new activities that I don't have to agonize over planning.

I think I'm snapping out of it, due to the social engagements I have planned over the next few days. We'll have to see, I'll keep you posted.

City Bus!

One interesting thing my daughter picked up from daycare was this top of her lungs scream whenever a city bus passes. "CITY BUSSSSSS!" Apparently they spent their time watching the buses go buy when they were out on their daily walks.

Yesterday we took a trip downtown on the city bus. All three of us one way at $1.50. Our goal was to visit the main library, eat a quick lunch down at the fountain, then hop back on the bus all before nap time.

Getting on the bus was a challenge with two kids, our GREAT stroller, lunches, diapers, change in hand, one year old other hand, and three year old wishing for me to hold her hand too, was a quick struggle, but we managed.

We got on the bus and the fun began. As we started up the bus stairs, a little old lady grabbed my oldest to lift her up the three high steps. Not only was she terrified of the non English speaking waif of a lady but she was insulted that she thought she needed help. We sat on the open old person/handicap seats right at the front so I could get situated before walking back up to put my money in the machine. ( I wasn't sure of the price, so I didn't have the proper amount readily available). Although next time I will wear something with pockets for easy access to my money.

Both of the girls were extremely entertained by the ride. After all, how often do they ride without a seat belt or in my arms?

I would have to strongly recommend my stroller that makes getting on and off the bus a breeze. It's a Maclaren stroller. Now please understand, I'm not into name brands at all, but I love my stroller. If you are looking for a perfect shower gift/ baby gift that you and some friends are going in on, I would have to strong arm you into purchasing this stroller. It's PERFECT for getting around town. Maclaren strollers are designed in England by people that understand the key ingredients in a stroller. The Maclaren strollers are high priced umbrella strollers but worth the price.

The reasons for my love of my Maclaren stroller:

• It comes with a carrying strap for hands free travel- great for the bus and stairs
• It is lightweight
• All models in 2005 have a canopy to protect your baby from the sun
• All are designed tall so no more bending over to push
• There is plenty of leg room so you wont be kicking it while walking
• You can push and control it with one hand
• Oh the list goes on and on.

I did my research and borrowed one before making the investment, and I couldn't be happier. I have a few other strollers in my garage and the only one I use is the Maclaren Stroller . It's just brilliant.