What to do with the bathroom clutter?

Here's a philisophical question for you all. What do you do with all the stuff in your bathroom that you don't use but is still usable? I am talking about vitamins that you don't take, hair products that you used once or twice, skin stuff etc. I have so much of this stuff in my bathroom and I can't figure out if it is worse to throw it away, therefore "wasting" it - or to keep it cluttering up my life and having to actually clean the dusty bottles. I am thinking the right thing is to throw it away. My resolve to actually use the stuff never seems to last long enough to make a dent in it!

A thought about stayin' home!

Hello to everyone! I am Kate, and a stay at home mom of two little boys ages 2 and 6 months. I live on a ranch, and this winter have been literally snowed into my house because the weather and snow drifts have been so bad! Luckily, we are enjoying some nicer weather right now.
This morning I had a wonderful conversation with my mom. She is a working mother, and has been since I was seven years old. Everytime I talk to her, she tells me how lucky I am to be able to be home with my kids. This morning was no different. She explained how tugged she feels about wishing she could stay home with my younger sister even now, but that financially she just cannot afford to not work. I spent Saturday with a dear friend of mine who just recently had a baby on February 8. She is on six weeks leave right now from work, but then has to return because she cannot afford not to work. My heart goes out to my mom, my dear friend, and to all the mothers that feel tugged about not being able to stay home with their little ones. I feel privileged to be a stay at home mom. I also want all you working mothers to know how much I appreciate you too!!!
Just a thought about stayin' home!

A good idea...?

I ran across this idea in The Toddler's Busy Book by Trish Kuffner... Tape a picture or pictures to the ceiling above your child's bathtub and have them talk to you about the picture as you wash their hair! I thought this was ingenious. I haven't hung any pictures yet, but the thought is there...

This book has a great picture in it in which all the "piggies" are taking a bath...

When mommies are sick......

Is it bad to put the kids in front of the television to watch a movie when mommy is sick? I don't like them watching tv but an occasional movie is okay. It is not like I would do it all day but sometimes mommies get sick and what else is there to do when your husband is working......life's ponderable questions.....any suggestions for some activities for a 2 and a 4 year old to do while I am getting over this flu? Have no energy whatsoever. Just wondering what other moms do during these moments.

Friday...

I am trying to have a positive ending to this week (with sick kids, etc.), so I found this quote. Enjoy!

Healer extraordinare

Is there any headier feeling than being able to heal an owwie with a single kiss?

Hi everyone

Just a hello post. I am Brandy for those of you who don't know me - and I stay home with my three year old Alexa.
The only useful info I have at this time is my sister's trick for making mac and cheese from a box at least a little bit healthy. Put cottage cheese in the blender with the cheese powder and puree it to make the cheese sauce. Cottage cheese has a huge amount of protein in a small volume. I know this won't work for those allergic to milk, but I guess mac and cheese isn't an option there anyway.
Also, regarding temper tantrums. I think kids don't really learn to have temper tantrums from anyone. I think they just get frustrated and don't know how to express it. Again from my sister - tell them you understand that they feel mad or sad or whatever and then help them vent in a way that won't hurt anyone. Maybe hitting a pillow or something like that. The trick about giving them words to express how they feel also comes from my daughter's teacher's.

4 year old temper tantrums

I would like to know if any moms out there have experienced full on temper tantrums with their 4 year old? We are thrown by this. She can be lovey dovey and nice one minute and the next start stomping her foot and getting rude. We don't teach her that at home and she doesn't go to daycare. She is just a very passionate little girl. My parents told me I was like that at her age and always telling stories. She has been telling us the weirdest stories lately and then the next minute bursting into tears. Does anyone have any suggestions? We just have a normal family life and a happy one at that. She isn't learning it at church that we know of either which is where she is in contact with others her age. We are thinking it might have to do with my husband's weird hours at work. Not sure. Thank you.

Three Things...

1. Check out the link on the right for wholesome toddler food recipes. I haven't tried any of the recipes, but they look good and I plan on making them. I especially like the snack food ideas.

2. I read in the most recent issue of Parenting an awesome tip: a mom carries a little stack of Post-It notes in her purse and she puts one over the automatic sensor of toilets when her toddler is using the toilet. It keeps it from going off in the middle of the process and scaring them... I haven't tried this one, but I completely love the idea as our 3 year old is petrified of public restrooms because of the automatic ones that have gone off mid-poop. Post-It notes are on my shopping list!

3. Check out this mom's blog post about the 4:30pm blues... I can totally relate! I feel like my 4:30pm blues come from figuring out dinner and then finding the energy to cook/clean-up for the third time each day...

Sleep Deprived. . .

Well, Justin was sleeping pretty well..but for the past 4 nights he has decided that he needs to get up and nurse 3 times per night. I could take 2 times, but 3 is exhausting! And, I just don't have the patience to let him cry it out in the middle of the night. We did one night and gave up after an hour. I am not sure why I feel like we are going in reverse with the sleep issue vs. forward...what I would give for a full night of sleep (or even 6 full hours).