Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Skillet Cleaning in Seconds
Low and behold, the pan was clean. I didn't even apply soap! Of course, I then cleaned the pan with a sponge and soap. It took such little time and no strenuous dish washing. And I love to finding ways to save time and energy!
Labels: cleaning, time saving tips 1 comments
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
"Six Shots are Too Many"
- lots of shots
- vision test
- hearing test
- TB test
- Hemoglobin test
- urine screen
- your child needing Tylenol (or some kind of pain reliever)
Fun, fun, fun!
Labels: health/fitness, kids, parenthood, school 2 comments
Friday, March 5, 2010
1st Annual Walk 4 Water: The Samburu Project
After another night of washing the dishes and bathing my kids, I suddenly realize how lucky we are to have the simple things in life like clean running water. I know, there are a lot of things like clean drinking water and air that we take for granted every day.
This became even more clear to me when I found out that 4,500 children worldwide die each day due to a lack of clean drinking water. People in other parts of the world spend their entire day looking for clean water...sometimes never finding it.
But the good news...we can do something about it. It only takes $13 to provide a child with clean drinking water for life! So, how can we help?
The non-profit organization, The Samburu Project, is hosting it's 1st Annual Walk 4 Water event in the Los Angeles area (Hermosa Beach to be exact) on Sunday, March 21. All proceeds will be going to the Samburu Project's clean water initiatives, specifically targeting the Samburu District in Kenya.
The walk will be a 4-mile loop between Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, and a great opportunity for a great Sunday morning walk with your family. Individual walkers and families are welcome to participate. The registration fee is $26 (which includes a free Samburu Project t-shirt).
If you live in the Los Angeles area and would like to walk, please click here to register. It is a family event that anyone can walk in. My husband and kids will be walking with me (and I am hoping the walk will tire the kids into a nap. It's okay to dream!). Please come out for a fun family outing that can help teach the kids about giving in the process.
Labels: family, philanthropy 0 comments
Thursday, March 4, 2010
How You Know Your Son is a Big Boy
Moments ago, I was sitting on the couch watching The Marriage Ref when I suddenly heard this thumping sound coming from upstairs, seemingly from my 4-year old son's room. As I started to walk up the stairs because I was afraid my son was having a bad dream and kicking the wall (way out in left field, I know, but hey, it could happen), I then heard him going potty in the bathroom.
So I just sat on the stairs to listen and make sure that he didn't need my help. All with the lights turned off, he walked into the bathroom, went potty, and then walked back into his room. I suppose this is most impressive to me because I am used to him waking me up in the middle of the night to tell me he had a bad dream, when really he just needed me to go to the bathroom with him.
Wow, he didn't need my help...what a bittersweet moment. What a big boy!
Labels: kids, motherhood, parenthood 2 comments
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Surprise Giveaway Winner: $100 Gift Card for Tea Collection Kids Clothing
Labels: giveaway/sweepstakes, winners 1 comments
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Most Exciting Finale in Bachelor History
I was just trying to hook you with a Chris Harrison tag line. The episode was so predictable and somewhat boring.
Labels: just for fun 4 comments
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
My 4-Year Old Therapist
This morning, when we pulled into the parking lot to preschool, I realized we forgot my son's backpack. As I began to think about all the things that hadn't gone right this morning, my son quickly chimed in with, "Mommy, don't worry about it. Everything is going to be okay."
What? I have never heard my son utter those words! And yet, I was so thrilled at the moment he said them that I took out a piece of paper and pen to write them down so I wouldn't forget what he said.
If only he knew just how wise he already is...
Labels: family, just for fun, kids, parenthood 1 comments
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Surprise Giveaway: $100 Gift Certificate for Kids' Clothes From Tea Collection
- Visit the Tea Collection website and pick an item (or outfit) that you would love to have
- Post a comment here including your name, location (city, state) and your favorite Tea Collection clothing item
- Please post your comment by 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, February 28
- For an extra entry, become a follower of Houses, Couches, and Babies (those of you that are already followers, will get an additional entry)
The winner will be announced shortly after February 28, so please keep checking back to see if you are the winner.
Good luck and happy shopping!
(shown above: Hahoe Plaid Shorts, Bulguksa Print Shirt, Paeja Vest, and Circle Geo Banded Dress)
Labels: baby clothes, clothing, giveaway/sweepstakes 86 comments
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tiger Speaks...Finally
Image from UsMagazine.com
Labels: just for fun, marriage, Tiger Woods 2 comments
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
We Found LOST
While on our vacation at Turtle Bay Resort last week, the hubby and I loved wandering around the massive property and the surrounding areas. Since the weather was so beautiful, we decided it would be fun to go for a run outside, rather than staying couped up in the resort gym. There were several trails on the property, so we decided to do some exploring. While running on one of the trails, we came upon this...
Yeah, that's one of several trailers. The trailers we ran by were labeled "Locke," "Lapidus," Claire," "Kate," "Sun," "Jin," "Sawyer," and "Hurley." We kept running on the trail toward the beach to find the actors of LOST filming a scene.
(From left to right: Sawyer, crew member, Sun, Kate, Claire, Frank Lapidus, and Hurley.) Naturally, I didn't capture the photos I should have. For example, I really wish I had a picture of Sun running up the beach to hug Jin (I assume for the first time...you know, the reunion 3 years in the making!). It would have also been great if I would have taken a picture of the actors in the picture above down on their knees. We weren't sure if they were being held at gun point or praying...I am pretty sure it was the gun point option.
I would have taken more pictures if I wasn't afraid of the 600-pound security guy. Oh, and my husband who was embarrassed that we were watching the filming didn't help my paparazzi cause either.
The above picture is part of the trail/LOST beach set where we took our run. When we came back the next day (because I had to see if they were there filming again), all that was left were these props. I am not really sure what they are...perhaps electromagnetic thingamajiggers.Now I just can't wait for this scene to air...and for the ah-ha moment when everything on the show finally comes together. Maybe the show is called LOST because that is how you feel when you are watching it???
Labels: just for fun, LOST, vacation 2 comments
Monday, February 15, 2010
Amazing Race 16 Trumped the Olympics???
Yes, I am sad to admit that I didn't watch the Olympics' coverage tonight from 8-9pm because I had to watch the season premiere of The Amazing Race 16.
Labels: just for fun 2 comments
Saturday, February 13, 2010
CPK Gift Card Surprise Giveaway Winner
Thank you all for entering the CPK gift card giveaway and I hope everyone gets the chance to check out their new Wine Cravings and Small Cravings menus.
Labels: giveaway/sweepstakes, winners 0 comments
Friday, February 12, 2010
How Can You Tell if a Duck is Male of Female?
I learned a random piece of trivia from The History Channel this week.
Labels: just for fun 2 comments
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
First Celeb Spotting in Hawaii - Dennis Quaid
Labels: just for fun 2 comments
Monday, February 8, 2010
Turtle Bay - The Hollywood of Hawaii
My hubby and I are wrapping up our fabulous trip to Turtle Bay Resort (thanks, Regis and Kelly!) and I must tell you that I have seen more celebrities here than I have living just outside of LA.
Labels: just for fun, travel, vacation 6 comments
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Surprise Giveaway: CPK Gift Card to Satisfy Your Cravings

- Post a comment here including your name and location (city, state)
- Please post your comment by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 11
- For an extra entry, become a Follower of Houses, Couches, and Babies (those of you that are already followers, will get an additional entry)
The winner will be announced shortly after February 11, so please make sure to check back and see if you are the winner. (The winner will not be contacted.)
Good luck and indulge those cravings!
Labels: giveaway/sweepstakes 190 comments
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
My Very Own Cookie Monster
I walked back over to the couch, lifted up the pillows and found my daughter chomping away on a cookie. Naturally, chocolate was all over her face and she had a grin from ear to ear. She then even offered me a bite.
This was one of those rare occasions when I actually laughed at her and chalked it up as me having a crazy little 2-year old!
Labels: just for fun, motherhood, parenthood, toddlers 3 comments
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Dancing it Up on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Here's how the day went: We arrived at Warner Bros. Studios at 3:15 because our check-in time was 3:30. I was told that we didn't need to get there any earlier because where you were in line for check-in didn't determine where you sat. Well, that was a lie. I was number 188 and we were called into the studio in numerical order. As a result, we were in the last row (As you can see in the picture above). But, I was lucky enough to sit on the aisle and had a great view of everything.
Josh Duhamel was not the guest on our show. Instead, it was Rihanna! Ellen called it her Grammy show. Rihanna performed 3 songs (only 2 will air on this episode...they recorded the third for future use). The cute little boy from Modern Family, Rico Rodriguez, was also a guest on the show.
Click here to see the promo for Ellen's Grammy Show - Monday, February 1, 2010. Watch for me. I am on the aisle in the last row right in front of the Ellen sign wearing a purple top and jeans (dancing like a maniac at times).
Labels: just for fun 2 comments
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Going to the Ellen Show - Take Two
Last October, you may have remembered me mentioning that I was going to the Ellen Show. Well, unfortunately, the kids got sick and I was unable to attend the taping.
Labels: Josh Duhamel, just for fun 1 comments
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Another One of Those "Awww" Moments
Today was one of those days when I wanted to get a lot done and got frustrated when I got side-tracked.
Having two kids, I obviously got side-tracked on more than one occasion, and thus got frustrated. (The hubby has been out of town for the past few days on a business trip so I began counting down the seconds until his car pulled into the garage.)
But tonight at dinner, after the kids complained when I told them they were going to watch the President on TV because Mommy wanted to watch the State of the Union Address, we settled in for a nice dinner and I had one of those "awww" moments. (I thought it was important for my son to see "The Rock of Bama." That is somehow what he remembers our President's name to be. And since he is so close and sounds so cute saying it, we don't always correct him.)
The kids asked me to sit in between them at dinner, and instead of protesting for my own space, I gave in for once. And once I sat down, I was glad I gave in. My 4-year old son started gradually making his way onto my lap while my 2-year old daughter held my hand, interlocking our fingers while nuzzling her cheek on my shoulder. Yes, all this while eating dinner and watching the State of the Union Address.
As I was sitting there, I took mental note of what was important. The errands that I ran today...not so important. The errands that I wanted to run and didn't get around to...still not so important. These loving, cuddling moments with my two little ones that will soon enough be asking me not to touch them or kiss them in public...very important.
Labels: motherhood, parenthood 2 comments
Monday, January 25, 2010
Advice #10 for Expecting Moms
This week's advice for expecting moms comes from Rachel in Maryland. I really couldn't have said it much better than this, so I will leave it to her words:
"The best advice I could give is to not have many expectations. Before my first son was born I was a perfectionist who worried over everything. Before he was born I had planned out how everything would be! Life with children is anything, but predictable. Just enjoy the time you have with them, be very flexible and expect the unexpected (in a good way)."
Thanks, Rachel! And if you missed any of the past advice, be sure to check out all of your Advice for Expecting Mommies.
P.S. Above is the trailer for the movie, Parenthood, for your amusement. It makes a lot more sense now that it did 20 years ago!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Heidi Montag's First TV Appearance Since 10 Plastic Surgery Procedures...in One Day!
She finally appeared on TV for the first time after her 10-hour plastic surgery on Good Morning America today. If you missed it, click here to check it out.It is really sad to see her and her plastic surgeon (Dr. Ryan) talking about how she actually looks better now. Her face shows no emotion and she looks absolutely lifeless. It disturbs me that a plastic surgeon has done so many surgeries that he thinks this actually looks pretty and not totally fake. I would certainly not want to get any plastic surgery done by a guy who does this kind of work.
Of course, it isn't shocking that the timing of the People magazine cover was lined up with the release of her first album, Superficial. (Fitting title, in deed.)
The saddest part about all of this is that as I talk about her, she and her scheming husband are laughing all the way to the bank. They were banned from E! News last year because of all their shenanigans, but every other media outlet is talking about them. What a joke.
But I guess Speidi would rather be seen in the public eye as a joke than not in the public eye at all. I guess is it "reality" TV at its finest!
Image from HeidiMontagfan.com and ABCNews.go/GMA
Labels: health/fitness 5 comments
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Modern Menagerie Baby Shower - Part 2
When our guests walked in the door to the Modern Menagerie baby shower, this is what they first saw. One of my favorite elements was the giraffe print lanterns that my co-host, Sarah, found online at WorldMarket.com. We actually used jewelry wire to hang the lanterns over our hot pink tables to add depth and dimension.







Thanks again to my co-hosts Sarah, Mimi, and Jen for making it to such a wonderful event. And thank you to our guest of honor for having what seemed like an endless amount of supplies for us to work with. I guess that is what makes her The Hostess with the Mostess.Labels: babies, just for fun, parties 10 comments
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Who Needs Training Wheels!?!
My 4-year old was so excited to ride his bike today all by himself. As he told me when he stopped for a breather, "Mom, this is totally awesome!"
Yes, it was a totally awesome day!
Labels: kids, parenthood 2 comments
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Modern Menagerie Baby Shower - Part 1
This past weekend, I hosted a baby shower (along with 3 other fabulous ladies) for the Hip Hostess herself, Jennifer Sbranti (founder of HostessWithTheMostess.com).
If you are thinking, "Wow, that's a lot of pressure to plan a party for a party planner," you are very smart. Naturally, Jennifer told us she was grateful that we were throwing her a shower and was thrilled to enjoy a party for once. But come on, we had to make her proud, and certainly had to step up our game.
To begin with, we wanted to order super-cute invitations that went with a jungle theme shower for a baby girl. Thanks to Tiny Prints, not only were we able to find adorable invitations, but matching thank you notes, gift tags and mint tins! (Invitation and thank you note above are examples given on Tiny Prints website.)
As you can see above, we used the personalized mint tins to add a little something to our place setting. And thanks to my ever resourceful friend, Mimi, we were also able to get a delicious cake (below) from Flour Power in San Diego to match the invitation!

We used the matching gift tags on white take out boxes so that our guests could take home whatever they wanted from the "sweets" table. 43 pounds of yummy candies came from ACandyStore.com and not only made a great treat, but were also a beautiful, decorative addition.

Stay tuned for more details about the Modern Menagerie baby shower.
Labels: babies, invitations, just for fun, parties 1 comments
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Bachelor Drama
Although I have sworn off watching The Bachelor many times, I always end up tuning in.
Image from abc.go.com
Labels: just for fun 7 comments
Friday, January 8, 2010
A Little Girl With a Mind of Her Own
Labels: motherhood, vacation 3 comments





























