I want to hear from you parents out there who know a little something about potty training. My son is interested but it is hard to tell if we are ready. Did any of you struggle with this? Are there any movies or books that you recommend? Any advice would be appreciated and I am sure it will benefit others besides myself too!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! I love this picture by Simon Dewey. 2 of my very favorite Christmas Books are Simon Dewey's "This is the Season: Beloved of the Year" and "I Believe in Santa Claus."
Gardner Village has a live nativity this weekend on Friday and Saturday night. It starts at 6:30 and lasts about a half hour so dress warm. They even have animals and everything.
You can also ride a wagon pulled by Mrs. Claus on Monday nights or search for the Elves and get a treat at the Candy store.
Did you know Thanksgiving Point has real reindeer and Free photos with Santa on Monday nights?
Here is a list of all of the deadlines to get your Christmas cards, packages, etc. in the mail to be delivered in time for Christmas.
Deadlines For December 25 Delivery:
United States Post Office:
Parcel Post : December 15
First Class Letters & Cards: December 20
Priority Mail: December 20
Express Mail: December 22
Fed Ex
Home Delivery or Ground: December 17
Express Saver: December 19
2 Day: December 20
Overnight : December 22
Same Day: December 25
UPS
Standard: December 15
3 Day: December 20
Expedited: December 21
Express:December 23
I have 2 ideas for a quiet time activity for your kids. Whether it be the Dr.'s office, airplane, church or whatever.
The first are the Peek a Boo bags. These are also called I Spy Bags, but I the company I like is Peek a Boo and they are only $15 as opposed to some Etsy sellers that are around $30. They have a list of items and then your child searches through the plastic beads to find each item. They make a girl version, a boy version, and an alphabet version that has an item to go with each letter of the alphabet. They are sold online and at over 300 retailers nationwide.
The second item are these portable magnet boards make by Tika Kids. They have an etsy shop and you will see them in various boutiques in Utah. They sell a bunch of different options to use on the magnet board as well as some puzzles of Jesus. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted my child playing with a cut up picture of Jesus but I decided that it is better to have them thinking about Christ in church than super heroes so I gave in. The boards are only $10. 
In the LDS Church we are asked to hold Family Home Evening with our families each Monday night. Family home evening is a special time set aside each week that brings family members together and helps us become closer to one another as well as our Heavenly Father.
It is challenging to plan a lesson for young children since their attention span is so short. The LDS Church recently came out with a new lesson manual for Nursery Children. I purchased the manual and have been using it each week for Family Home Evening. I have really enjoyed it and now I don't worry about what to plan each week or what to teach. I would highly recommend this.
Wicked tickets in Utah go on sale on December 12th but TODAY beginning at 10:00 AM you can get pre-sale tickets. Click here and then use code BAA12. You can also call 355-ARTS or visit the Capitol Theatre Box Office.
If you do not have an account with ArtTix already, please visit http://www.arttix.org/, and create your account now. This will help speed your online purchase process. 8 ticket limit per purchase.
**Some people have commented that the code didn't work but I just tried it and it worked fine. You have to be sure to capitalize.
I really like using coupons. Not so much coupons at the grocery store but just about everywhere else in life. My husband and I have saved quite a bit of money as well as tried some new places over the years by using Entertainment books. Now through December 31st you can save $10 off a 2009 Entertainment book and also get free shipping. That makes the total $15. You will save that just using the 2 for 1 at a restaurant. Just follow this link to get the discounted book.
Fleurville is having a Seconds sale on their website and have extended it through tomorrow. These bags are normally $150! Right now you can get the bag pictured here for $48 and my personal favorite (The Sling Tote) for $36. Shipping is a little pricey as it is calculated on weight, but it is a screaming deal.
And the winner of the Cheeky & Swank bib and burp cloth set is....Krisi! Krisi I sent you an email so get me your address so we can get that out to you.
Thanks to everyone who entered and especially who have been leaving good feedback lately. I am loving your picks of Christmas treats, CDs, DVDs, etc.
Today is my 400th post! 400 posts in 1 year isn't too shabby wouldn't you say?
And while I have you. I went to Twilight last night at Midnight! I am quite tired, but it was really good (if you have read the books). I was pleasantly surprised with how similar the characters were to what I had pictured in my mind from reading.
Wicked is coming to Utah in April of 2009. Tickets go on sale to the public on December 12th.
What are your favorite Christmas movies? Are you a sucker for It's a Wonderful Life or White Christmas or even Christmas Story? Or do you enjoy some of the more recent hits like Jim Carrey's The Grinch Who Stole Christmas or Elf? Are there any that your kids enjoy that you would recommend? Do share!
Don't forget to enter the Cheeky and Swank giveaway by tomorrow night! And..if you want to post it on your blog for an extra entry the deadline is tonight.
Tom and Lucy's Art Shoppe is a shoppe/show that is open on Friday, November 21st 9:30-7:00 and Saturday, November 22nd 9:30-5:00 at 1889 N 1700 E Lehi, UT 84043 (a home). They are going to have tons of items for sale and vendors. My favorite items are the Itsy Bitsy Bee items created by my very own Aunt! She makes the most amazing things including burp cloths, binky clips, hooded towels and more. You have to go see her stuff in person.
What are your favorite Christmas treats? I love Dreyers Peppermint ice cream serve with Hot Fudge on top. I also love Mint M&Ms. The M&Ms are a little tricky to find, however.
What are your favorite Christmas CDs? My top 2 are Celine Dion (I know either you love her or you hate her) and Harry Connick, Jr. I just bought Michael Buble's but I am disappointed there are only 6 songs. I heard Josh Grobin's is a top seller and Jack Johnson just came out with one.
So...please share. What Christmas CDs do you like best???
For those in live in Utah...Have you heard of the Christmas Utah home that puts up one of the most amazing Christmas light displays in the country? They have their own website and the entire light display is orchestrated to music! On their site they have a list of other impressive light displays in Utah. It starts the night after Thanksgiving.
WALL-E comes out on DVD this Tuesday, November 18th. The best price I see if $14.99 at Circuit City or Best Buy (Circuit City's price is for 5 days only). Or if you don't mind rebates you can buy it at Shopko for $17.99 and get a $5 mail in rebate to make is $12.99.
I haven't seen it yet but I have heard it is cute. What is your opinion of it?
Gateway to Giving runs November 17-23 at the Gateway Mall in SLC.
What: The Gateway to Giving event allows non-profits, charities and community groups a fun, easy and effective way to raise money for the holidays.
How: The Gateway’s many stores and restaurants offer an exclusive 20% off discount available only to Gateway to Giving cardholders during the week of giving (Nov. 17-23).
The Gateway to Giving cards are sold at $10.00/card through participating organizations and at The Gateway Concierge. The groups gets to keep 100% of the proceeds! The Gateway incurs all costs associated with the cards.
There are some great deals with this card. 20% off at Anthropologize, Ann Taylor and others. Click here to see the complete list of participating stores.
Have you been introduced to the fabulous co. Cheeky and Swank yet? They make blankets, bibs, burps, hats, bags, shirts, pillows, etc. etc. Everything is so darling and stylish. I went to a baby shower recently and we were all drooling over the Sophie blanket with its bright colors and amazing quality as well as the burp cloth with a chenille backing. And the winner of the amazing Bibbie is....Modell. I sent you an email so be sure to respond and get me your address!
Just so you aren't wondering, I cut up strips of paper and wrote all of your names so you had a fair chance and put them all in a bowl. I don't trust random.org and and I think this makes it the most fair for everyone.
Now, on to the next contest!
Gap Friends & Family starts today (do you have your 30% off coupon?) and Janie and Jack starts Friday for 25% off. Use code JJFRIEND online.
Skip to My Lou is giving away a FREE Christmas card file (to print your own Christmas cards) and 2 sheets of picture it postage to 5 lucky winners. Go check it out!
This week at Toys R' Us you can get Candy Land, Memory, Chutes and Ladders, HiHo Cherry O and Cootie for only $4.99. These games are normally $8.99-$9.99.
To help promote & feature some of the amazing women who have joined the Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon, Tip Junkie has set up the 12 Days of Junkie where there will be two winners every day!
I am coming upon my 1 year Blogiversary in a few weeks and to celebrate I am going to be doing a few contests!
So...check back and SPREAD THE WORD! I promise you will like them.
**And don't forget to enter the current giveaway for the awesome Bibbie.
The Fancy Nancy books look very cute and are becoming increasingly popular (as a mother of a son I will admit I have not read one). Target has a slew of Fancy Nancy items (including the things you see here). Some are Target exclusive and all of the items are in stores only.
Dilly Dally has created the darling Bibbie you see here. What is a Bibbie exactly? Bibbies are stylish reversible bibs designed for the busiest of babies and the most particular moms. Not only protective and practical for mealtime, bibbies are a chic baby accessory for all the "dilly dallying" in your child's life.
What makes bibbies so unique is their fashionable yet functional design. Not only do they cover and protect clean clothes, they are comfortable and adorable. The double-sided quilted fabric makes them extra absorbent. They are easy to wash...just throw them in your washing machine on a cold cycle and tumble dry low.
The 3-5 year old Bibbie has pockets too! I love that the Bibbie can be used differently by all Moms. Some will love it for all mealtimes, some for arts and crafts, some for playtime, some for the car, some for a puky newborn (you know what I mean :)
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Do you want to WIN a Bibbie? Dilly Dally is GIVING AWAY 1 Bibbie of your choice to a very lucky Karen's Tips reader! Enter by going to Dilly Dally's Website and telling us your favorite Bibbie pattern by leaving a comment below by Midnight (EST) on November 13th. 1 entry allowed per person. Be sure to leave an email if you do not have a blog I can contact you through. The winner will be announced on November 14th so check back.
One of my most favorite items in my kitchen is my hot chocolate maker! I discovered the Cocomotion about 7 years ago and I love it, but it has always annoyed me that you couldn't remove the top to clean it. That is why I think the Cocoa Latte maker is a better option. It also has a froth dispenser. You can find the Cocomotion at Walmart for about $20 and occassionally at Costco. The best place to buy the Cocoa Latte is Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens N' Things and use a 20% off coupon to get it for $24 (20% off of $30).
I have been meaning to tell you about the new Noah's building open in Sandy, Utah and also about the 3 Holiday Oh Sweet Sadie shows that are coming up and then look at this. Now I can do 2 posts in one because the first Oh Sweet Sadie show is at the new Noahs! How convenient.
If you have heard of Noahs, then go check out their website. They now have two buildings, 1 in Lindon and the second in Sandy (by the Walmart and Car Max off the freeway). They are a multipurpose building with many rooms that you can rent for all of the occasions in your lives. They will even have an ice skating rink you can rent out this winter.
Oh Sweet Sadie has 3 shows coming up in Sandy, Bountiful and South Jordan. You won't want to miss at least one of them. They have sooo many fun and wonderful things that you need to give yourself a few hours to see it all. And don't forget to check their blog as the shows get a little closer. They do some GREAT giveaways!
Have you heard about the new outlet stores that have opened at the Park City, Utah Tanger Outlets? JCrew, Bath and Body Works, Columbia and a few others. Click here for a complete listing of all of the stores there and be sure to go on the center's website and get some great coupons.
And another one of my favorite things to do at an outlet mall is to go to Customer Service office and buy their coupon books. They are usually around $5, but will save you in the long run (depending on how much you spend at the mall). Some malls will also give you a coupon book for free if you show your AAA card.
Little Tikes Cook n' Grill (front and back pictures)
KidKraft Silver Retro Kitchen online at Walmart
Step 2 50's diner
I am normally pretty decisive when it comes to buying my son toys, but there are so many options it can be overwelming. I decided I want to buy him a play kitchen awhile back when I saw how much fun he had with them when we went over to friends/relatives homes. I will admit it took me awhile to warm up to the idea of buying my son a kitchen, but really kitchens aren't that girly (unless they are pink), and he loves playing with them so I decided to start the search. I LOVE the new gourmet kitchen from Pottery Barn Kids, but just can't justify the cost. I can't decide between the other kitchens you see pictured. I love the new KidKraft silver retro kitchen but if I am being honest with myself I think my son will have more fun with the Retro Kitchen or the Cook n' Grill so he can BBQ like Dad. 
Did you hear about the Delta crib recall last week? Delta has recalled this crib that was sold at Walmart, Kmart and Target.com from January 1995 through September 2007 for about $100. It has faulty hardware and has caused 2 deaths. You can get more details here.
I have told you about 2 different deal a day sites that carry baby/kid products (Baby Steals & MamaBargains), but there are a few more out there I didn't know about. Check out this post by Baby Cheapskate that breaks down the different sites.
Also, be sure to check out Baby Steals blog. They do giveaways and highlight cool products! Did you also know that you can sign up for Baby Steals on twitter if you want to get a text each morning with the steal of the day?
The 2 Britax Marathon carseats you see here (Brooke and Graystone) and both on closeout at Amazon right now. I am sure they will go very fast! This is a great price for a Marathon. They are $184 and $186 and are regularly prices at $279.99. 
My cousin's wife is putting on a great boutique next weekend in Lehi, Utah. It is October 24th from 2-8 pm and October 25th from 10-3 pm. It is being held at the Ivory Ridge Clubhouse. 3 miles East off of the Alpine/Highland Exit on the South side of the road. There will be designer jeans and sweats, books, aprons, vintage hem, clarisonic skin care, holiday craft items, tutus, etc. etc. etc.
Janie and Jack has finally made it to Utah. They opened a store last week at Fashion Place Mall in Murray. I can't believe it took so long! It is a good thing I don't have a daughter because I don't know if I could resist some of these fun clothes and accessories. It just doesn't seem right to spend more on my child's outfit than mine, though :)
I have recently purchased an iPod Classic (plays videos) and have no idea how to use it. I am pretty savvy with electronics and such but Ipods are something I haven't figured out yet.
I am wondering if anyone can recommend a software to transfer DVDs that you own to your Ipod. I really hate to purchase shows through iTunes that I already own.
Any advice would be appreciated! As well as anywhere where I can find free kids shows for my son to watch. He LOVES Barney, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Curious George.
P.S. I use a PC. Has anyone heard of Cucusoft?
