Flower power: a creative idea to manage TV time

TV....TV.... TV....!
Between my daughter and I, we always argue how much is too much TV time. She still can't read or understand how long is half an hour. I decided I need to create a system that is better than checking at the clock.

We made flowers from streamers and skewer, glue it and tie it with twist ties. I call it the "flower power...." One flower equal half an hour of TV time. Every time she watches TV for half an hour, I'll take it out from the pot. By doing that, she understands how much TV show she can watch and decide a head of time.

This really reduce the arguing and negotiation. E.g She likes to watch Arthur, Martha speaks, George, World word, Cyber space, Kratt brothers. If she watches all, it will take up 3 hours. Her TV time is 2 hours. So in the morning, she will decide which TV shows she wants to watch.

We made it flower because it's beautiful and skewer and streamers were the available materials. I think you can make it something else according to your children's favorite stuff.

So far, it works for me and I think it worth sharing...
What do you think?

Baked potato ooops...

Oops ... It happened many times.

Just like today, I suppose to make baked potato for dinner. I set the oven to bake to 400F, then I set the timer for the soup... not realizing when the timer went off, I actually cancelling the baking as well... I thought I had a nice warm baked potato... I actually have a cold, uncooked potato. Dinner should be ready in 15 minutes... What should I do?

Hubby googled how to make a baked potato using microwave. It's pretty easy. Cut a deep 'X' on the potato, cover it with wet towel and microwave it according to the size. Not knowing the definition of big or huge potato, I just do a trial and error. I set for 5 minutes for 1 potato and it turned out beautifully. I put all 3 potatoes and set for 5 minutes it turned out OK. I needed more minutes, so I added another 3. The dinner is ready on time. Everyone thinks it's a good baked potato dinner.

It's one of the time when I said to my self that I'm glad I made a mistake as now I know how to make baked potato using microwave.

Wouldn't you agree?

Picture link from howtobakeapotato.com

Make your own toy: A creative, green and economical ideas

Boxes-boxes... we got a lot of boxes. Toys-toys-toys... I do need some toys for kids activities. We decided to collect those boxes and choose one day as a "make your own toy" day.

I challenged my 5 years old to design a toy out of boxes. I threw some ideas, including designing a cell phone, camera, laptop, robot, car...

Then, I gave her a piece of paper. The challenge was she needs to plan her design... mom will help cut.

She decided she wants to make a robot. Here's her plan.

She will need two boxes for head, butt, arms and toilet paper rolls for neck and legs.
Along the process, there are some design changes... including some "improvements" in adding eyes and choosing a lighter material for arms.

I helped her cut the holes using scissors and knifes and helps construct the pieces. We never attach the arm as it keep falling out. Besides, the bot long neck was good for grabbing. She played with the bot for tow days before she started asking when she could make the lap top.

That would be our next project...


And the next one she wanted to design a car... We need to collect a larger box for that...

I like the idea of designing your own toys from. First, it challenges your creativity and imagination. Second, we recycle. It's a two fold activities that is really economical.
Wouldn't you agree?

Tween + moving + 10 years old = problem solving

Ten years old... who wasn't too happy to leave her best friends behind... Plus new location, new school, new neighborhood, new friends... makes it even tougher...
In addition to anger, I also get some tears for not liking her new environment.

She started to say... "I don't like school". It has been bugging me since about 1 month ago. I have been listening to her, giving empathy, trying to find out what is it the real cause of that,... she still came home with tears.

I almost gave up. I'm so ready to e-mail her teacher and perhaps look for a professional help. I guess my creative, thinking out of the box gene kicks in.

I decided to ask her what she wants to do to make her "happier". She said... "no school". So I asked her if she meant for a different school or if she meant stay at home. She wants to stay at home with me...
"Sure...", I said. "But you also have to tell me what do you want to do when you stay at home. You can clean up the house, cook and you need to work because we have to make a living...."

Then the conversation starts around her skills, what is it that she can do to make a living. I gave her some options what she can do to find work and I asked her to think about it and tell me what's her decision, tomorrow.

I was worry... I'm not sure what's the outcome. But I think it's a good idea to involve her with problem solving rather than giving solutions...

Tomorrow afternoon I asked her... "So what is your decision..."
And she said "school".... And then I said "What are you going to do with new friends, new school...?" She thinks she could handle that part too...

Starting that day, she changed. No more tears on the way home and she looks happier. I guess I did the right thing... It works for me... so I thought I should share it in my blog...

Clay activities for parties from Our Creative Outlet.

Needs some activities for your children or adults this summer? Tired of pottery painting? How about making your own clay pieces for birthday party or just relaxing with your friends? Yes, that's what we did to celebrate our daughter's birthday.

Karen from Our Creative Outlet in Delafield, WI offers that opportunity for us. It's all started from a big blob of clay, rolled, stamped and color. Then, let it dry, bake and it will be ready to pick up in the next week or two. You will have all the fun while she's doing all the dirty job (cleaning).

You can be as creative as you can... Sky is the limit. Best of all, it's a piece you can treasure event till the child to go college.

Wouldn't you agree?

Swim meet Special Olympics at YMCA Pabst

Ok.. I have to admit... even though Special Olympics is one of my charity list, I've never been in their activities.

Last Sunday, my daughter and I, had the chance to do so.

We signed up to be a volunteer to do anything they need. We arrived at 11 am. After registering ant the senior center room, get a t-shirt, we went for a meeting.

I learned that they assigned us to be the escort. Our job is to escort the team from stating area, to the pool, bring to the award area and back to the staging area. It's simple...

We're teamed up with Matt. Three of us will take one group. Our first group is YMCA swim team for 200 yard Medley relay on lane 5. We took them to the designated lane, cheered them up and brought them to receive their awards. Sounds simple...

During that process, I learned something new. Despite their disabilities, they did their best, really proud of their achievements and really enjoy every minute of it. As I walk them back to the award area, everyone on the bleachers was cheering at them. I was touched and almost had teary eyes.

The process continues. There are 20 events on that afternoon ranging from heat 1-9. We were on schedule and finished 15 minutes earlier. Towards the end of the day, I was tired. I walked bear footed and my heels were sore. So did my daughter.

I 'm glad I have a chance to do this with my daughter. This helps expose her to a new experience and hopefully that would mean something in her life.



If you are reading my blog, this is a chance for you do something different tonight. In addition to your regular prayers, think about what you have been blessed with. And perhaps include Special Olympics in your charity list...

Just a thought...

In honor of Brian (Ben) H.

A greener Christmas

We got Christmas presents for the family. The kids were excited, every one is happy with their Christmas gifts. I ended up with ripped gift wrapper, plastic and boxes. The next day, I piled up the recycling bins. That was last year...

This Christmas, we do something greener. We re-use those shirt boxes we got from the store from last year. Wen re-use the nice shopping bags from the stores.

When we order from online store, we kept the box as we got it from them. Yes, we tagged them so we know who are those items for. We use gift wrapping paper for those items that is really necessary, e.g gift for a friend.

Today, as we open up our gifts, I keep the t-shirt boxes for next year. We re-use big boxes from online stores for Goodwill items.

We produced a paper bag full of papers and a plastic bag full of plastics and those goes to recycling bin. We were amazed how much garbage we produced compare to last year. I thought this is a pretty good idea worth spreading.

Wouldn't you agree?

Happy Fourth of July....

It has become a custom that we would watch fireworks to celebrate Fourth of July. This year is no exception. We drove to lakefront at around 5 pm and brought our bikes. We parked in the Discovery World and rode our bike to get dinner.

We had dinner at Comet. It's has the best Artichoke melt subs and Mexican cup cake ( chocolate cup cake with a kick of cayenne pepper). When we rode back to Discovery museum, the lake front drive was closed for cars. We were riding our bikes in a empty two lane street... Wow.. what an experience. We plan to do it again next year.

Regardless how you celebrate it, happy Fourth of July everyone...

Happy Valentines' Day...

My daughters are so excited for V day party. Coming from school, they came back home with a bag full of V day's treat... candies and card... It feels like Halloween...

I checked on the calendar just to make sure that it is February and Valentine's day. It used to be just cards... nowadays I see more and more stores carry Valentine's day cards and candy.

Just my curiosity, I searched the history of Valentine's day. Valentine cards didn't start until 1840. It was made from lace known as "scrap". I guess centuries later, it evolved to be a Valentine candy? or Valentine chocolate?

I'm pretty much indifferent whether it's candy or card. I think the most important thing is the thought behind it. BTW.. I'm still up for chocolate...:)

What do you think? What would you like to receive as a Valentine gift?

Help Haiti

On Tuesday, January 12, a fierce, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capitol, affecting millions of people.

You can make a difference. Here are a few ways you can support the recovery efforts and help victims rebuild their lives and communities:

You can make cash and in-kind donations on the following sites:
Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF), Direct Relief, Yele Haiti, Partners in Health, World Food Program, Mercy Corps (1-888-256-1900), Save the Children, World Vision, Lambi Fund, Heifer, The International Rescue Committee, and Care.

The following organizations are accepting SMS text message donations in the US only (which will be added to your phone bill):

• In your SMS text, type message "HAITI" and send to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
• In your SMS text, type message "YELE" and send to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts

PS: We are not affiliated with those organization. Just spreading the message...

Bookmark in a Card... A Graduates Gift Idea...

I have an assignment from hubby to look for a gift for a graduate.

Hm... as I was thinking though, what would a graduate needs, I decided to go to a book store.
I tried to remember those time when I graduated from high school... I needed to think what life choices to take...

I found a very nice hand made journal... I thought it would be perfect. She could always use a journal to write her thoughts in making choices in life.
Then I add a nice pen and... my hand make bookmark in a card.
What a perfect combination. She could always keep the card or use the book mark for her journal.

I'm very happy with the result...I think it worth blogging... don't you think so?

Teacher's gift idea

It's almost the end of the school year. We start thinking what would be an appropriate gift to the teacher? I always value hand made items... or we could always get gift cards from books stores or restaurants in the area. After brainstorming, my daughter decided that she wants to make her gift.
Wow... I'm pretty impressed. I felt I somewhat give her an artistic influence to her.

She decided to make a hand stamped necklace... wow...
As a supporting mom, I showed her how to do it. She chose aluminum disk to work with. After few stamping practice, she felt confident to do the real thing.

Here is the result...
I think it's pretty impressive for an 8 years old to make this.
Wouldn't you agree?

How much is a mom worth...?

I need to go to a day workshop. Then, who is going to watch the baby?

So, I called our baby sitter. She won't be able to do it. The day care I know that would do drop ins, won't take her as she's not potty trained yet. I sent out a mass email to Mothers and More group for inputs. Someone came up with a nanny idea.
How much is a nanny... well it ranges from $10-$12/hr... what does she do? Takes care of the child and anything around it.

Hm... it made me think... I took care of my children and anything around it. Am I worth $12/hr?
How much is a mom worth? Can we quantify and put a value on it?

Salary.com calculated that mom worth $116,805 because moms do 10 typical job functions including housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, laundry machine operator, computer operator, psychologist, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and janitor.

That's great. Is that all? If all those people work together to raise a child, would they become a mom? How about love. How do you quantify a mothers love to their children?

I personally choose to stay at home to raise my 2 children. I grew up with my mom who stays at home. I remember she'd greet me at the door and ready with a glass of fresh squeeze orange juice. Someone who can talk to and always there to keep me feel safe... that is in the addition to those job functions.

Perhaps the value of a mom is not so much on the things she did or did not do. There are some intangible asset that made a mom is a mom... Love...

Do the job raising a child, $ 116.805; a mom's love... priceless.

Happy mother's day...

My Canon PowerShot A60 camera had a problem...

It's not an abstract picture. That's how I see on my Canon PowerShot A60 camera. I'm so bummed the camera didn't work. It's my online storefront...!

I decided to bring to a camera store. The staff told me that Canon notice this problem and they can fix it. So, I contacted Canon today...

As for me... I still can't take picture. I don't know how long do I have to wait. In the mean time... I start looking for a second camera... Hm... how about a new DSLR... I'm thinking about Nikon D40

Any thoughts?

I was in the ditch on I-94 and Pewaukee 294 exit

There is always a first time for everything....
Today, after living 10 years in Wisconsin, I had my first experience skidded of the road.

We were on our way to Marquette University for their outreach program. I was driving at around 45-50 mph. The highway was a bit snowy. It was all right until at one point I felt I was driving on a snow and the car started to skid.

I tried to handle the car calmly even though my daughter was screaming in the back. It felt like riding the snow tube... The car was out of control and it's at the mercy of the force.

Out of those possibilities that could happen to a skidding car, I got the best outcome.
There was no car or semi behind me. The car skidded to the right instead of the left that could hit the median. The car stopped in the ditch, less than a foot from a fence, with no single scratch.
I did not harm anyone, I did not break anyone's property, everyone is safe and sound.

"Thank God...!".

Still shaken, I tried to back up the car. Of course, it didn't take me any where. So, I finally called 911. The Pewaukee police came about 10 minutes later. Then he called the tow truck.
While we were waiting, I called hubby, who is stuck at home with the baby.

The tow truck came, pulled us out and I paid $ 85 plus tax for the towing. Quite expensive for a first time experience...

Now I'm at home, still shaken even though it happened about 2 hours ago...

Next time I'm out and about... I will always remember to drive very slowly in the snow...

Next time I'm out and kiss hubby good bye,... I will really mean it. It might be our last kiss...

Waukesha Toastmasters 1173 got a visitor from a Brownie Troop 2131

Admit it....! To some of you, public speech is a fear... Just like me, public speech was a no-no... Until I "forced" myself to join Toastmasters. Now imagine how it feels for a 7 years old do a public speech (in front of adults).

On January 22, 2009, Abigail did her very first public speech in front 20-30 Waukesha Toastmasters members.

The idea came from my past experience. As a past member of Waukesha Toastmasters, I learned one of the most important thing in my life... I gained some self confidence.

When I read Girl Scout Cookie instructions which talked about the reasons they are doing this activity, which is helping develop leadership skills and self confidence, I had an idea for Abigail to do her Girl Scout Cookie sales pitch in front of Toastmasters members... and hopefully she would develop some self confidence too.

Toastmasters members are adults. They do have youth group which is aimed for teens up to 18 years old. So I think, for a 7 years old to do a presentation in front of adults, it may be a big task to do.

I wasn't sure how she would react when I told her my idea. With my amazement, she reacted very positively and started drafting her speech. She even typed her speech draft in the computer...

With few practices and some inputs from her dad and I, she did her first public speech . The speech was well received and ended with glorious applause from the members.

From this experience, I learned something important. Don't under estimate what a child can do. Always,... always encourage our children to reach the highest star in the sky.

Obama Inauguration

It's not a secret...
Today, Barack Obama is sworn to be the 44th President of the United States.

As I flip through the TV channel, I keep hearing that he is the first African American President.

I personally don't care much whether he is black, red, white, yellow, blue or green...
One thing that I think the most important in this event that dreams can come true.
I had dreams too and my dreams did come true. So, I will keep dreaming....

Congratulations Mr. President. May God Bless America.

Arctic blast hits Wisconsin

That's our thermometer showing this morning. The top numbers shows the outside temperature. It's minus ten outside and 63 inside.

Arctic blast hits Wisconsin today. Schools were closed and the kids are home.
It may look so sunny and fun to be outside, but not today...

I'm thinking for mailman and garbage man.... please keep warm...

Bigib reached a milestone...

Bigib made its 20th sale... Thank you to customers all around the world to help make it happen.
New exciting items will be posted in the next 2 weeks. Please visit http://bigib.etsy.com

Why do I like shopping at Etsy?

In the last couple months, I have been shopping at Etsy and I love it.
Why?
1. It's made in the US. With current economy situation, I feel better spending money in the US to help get the economy going.
2 .Custom order. It's unique, one of a kind and no one has something exactly like mine. I recently order a felted hat. I found Corina who made beautiful felted hat. I couldn't find the color I like. So, I emailed her. She could make the hat according to my specs.
3. Can visualized how it's happening. She updates me with the yarn ordering, the yarn finally arrives, then she's doing the knitting. I could visualize it while it's happening.
4. Make new friends. Now I have friends who felted, knitted, sew, ... what a great way to make new friends....
Wouldn't you agree?