Help

We bought a swimming pool for the kids and thought we would try it out. Well, come to find out, my step-dad didn't want it on his lawn and so he wanted me to put it on the cement on the side of their house. Well, as coordinated as my kids are, I thought that wouldn't be safe. Does anyone have any idea on how to solve that? Is there something I can put under it or something? or am I out of luck?

Two favorites stolen from Becki and Mandie

These are my two favorite purse items. Thanks to Becki and Mandie for originally introducing me to them.

First winner:

Clean Well hand sanitizer found at Target.

• all-natural. No alcohol for Nora to guzzle and travel to the emergency room for. (Couldn't you see her doing that?)
• spray, not gel. Much less messy than Purel.
• smells pretty yummy. Kind of like pine needles and lemons. Like Pine-sol?
• More uses per ounce, which means smaller container to carry around.

I'm so over Purel. Thanks, Becki.



Sunscreen Stick. Looks just like a giant chapstick. I keep this in my purse too. I'm notoriously bad at remembering to pack sunscreen to go everywhere, and besides, sometimes an emergency trip to the park arises after grocery shopping. So this is just enough sunscreen to get you by and cover the basics: cheeks, nose, ears.

Good buy. Thanks Mandie.

I like the spray sunscreen too.

the claw

Alright, this is not a CUTE product, but it is possibly the most highly functional little number I've encountered in a long time and tonight I owe it a debt of gratitude. Should anyone ever be in a similar situation as I was tonight: be aware that this tool exists. The situation is this: I am driving around with a single key not attached to a key ring and decide to vaccum my car. I put said lonely key up on my dashboard out of the way of the vacuum and it promptly slides down the heating vent. If I look through the front windshield, I can get a visual on the key, and although it is only 4 inches out of reach it is SO out of reach. Bless Greg G's heart for coming and helping me try to coax it out with a coat hanger but it wouldn't have worked in a million years. We were thinking up Sandlot-esque ideas like bubble gum, straws, vaccum extractors, when some kid pulls up who happens to have a handy dandy claw extractor and voila, 5 minutes later the key emerges unscathed and ready for action. Needless to say, I will be attaching the key to a 2-foot long keychain asap, you guessed it, a claw.

A Shout-Out to JJ Cole

I purchased this bag last summer, after a bunch of the girls around here bought one. It is the best diaper bag I have ever owned. There are places for everything; my phone, I-pod, keys, wallet, and a bunch of pockets. It has a binky-pod, and a separate changing pad with a pocket. It is just the right size, and it's not a girly-bag, so Pete will carry it. Well, a few weeks ago, the zipper fell apart. It was totally random, and I don't think it had anything to do with the quality of the bag. I called the company, and it turns out there is a 2 year warranty on the bag, so they sent me a brand new one! Holy Cow! I couldn't believe it! Not many companies are that dedicated to their product, but it's also the kind of company I want to stick with until I don't need them anymore. So if you are in the market for a diaper bag (Allison H., this means you!)check out JJ Cole.

The Coolest Bags and Blankets

So I found these bags and they are so cute. Everyone should get one! I bet the girl who makes them is so cute.

I also found the cutest baby blankets ever! I have actually met the girl who makes these. She is way cool!