Got Babysitters? August 22, 2008

When’s the last time you got out of the house for a date night, or – even better – ALONE?  Been a while? Can’t even remember?  I’m with you sister, and the number one reason that we don’t get out is that we just can’t find a sitter. But not just any sitter, I want someone I can trust to engage my kids and not just plop on the couch in front of my tv on the phone! I want someone who will get down to their level, play their games, act silly, and enjoy herself. And it wouldn’t hurt if she was CPR certified and came with awesome references. Now where do I find someone like that?

MommyMixer is here to help! MommyMixer connects busy families (like yours!) in need of part-time babysitting with high-quality college students. At each hour-long Mixer, moms personally interview a number of candidates and leave with an A+ list of potential babysitters. Many candidates are not only used for babysitting, but also act as family-assistants: running errands, helping with organization, planning and producing birthday parties, etc. MommyMixer’s recent Orange County events have been such a hit that they have sold out, word is spreading and moms all across OC are getting hooked up with the sitter of their dreams! 

Here are the details for the next mixer, and don’t forget to visit our the MommyMixer website for more info and to register! No Rest For Bridget in Costa Mesa is hosting the event on Sunday September 7th at 1pm.  As a great added bonus, No Rest For Bridget is offering all attendees at 15% shopping discount, so check out what’s new while you have a chance to shop sans kiddos.  We have dozens of sitters from UCI, Chapman U, CSULB, and CSUF scheduled to attend, so no matter where in OC you are, you are sure to find a few great sitters near you. Hope to see you there!

Check out this youtube video to see what all the fuss is about! 

contact  orangecounty@mommymixer.com for more information

MommyMixer’s SoFab Orange County Sitters Team Up For CHOC Walk! July 29, 2008

On October 19th, 2008, dozens of top-notch college students in Orange County will team up in support of Children’s Hospital Orange County. MommyMixer’s SoFab Sitters, clad in white MommyMixer t’s, have a fundraising goal of $5000 and hope to beat it by leaps and bounds! If you are a college student in OC and would like to join in, click the link below!

http://www.chocforms.org/chocwalk/2008/MommyMixers_So_Fab_Sitters/

MommyMixer participates in community service and outreach programs to help better the lives of children and moms in our community. We have chosen to support CHOC in appreciation of the awesome care and attention my daugher received at CHOC in July 2005 for her first open heart surgery, and the continuing care she receives and will receive throughout her childhood. For more information about MommyMixer, please visit us online at www.mommymixer.com/orange-county

CHOC Walk 2008 Team Registration now open! July 28, 2008

Registration is now open for CHOC Walk 2008! Take a few hours out of your Sunday morning to support this great cause and impact the lives of the precious children treated at this amazing hospital every day! www.chocwalk.org

Not a morning person? Still want to help? Why not make a donation to Team Abbie?

This October our family will again be walking in CHOC Walk at the Disneyland Resort. We support CHOC in appreciation of the awesome care and attention our daughter received at CHOC in July 2005 for her first open heart surgery, and the continuing care she receives and will receive throughout her childhood. Please join us in supporting this wonderful hospital that touches the precious lives of so many children in Orange County! Every little bit helps!

https://www.chocforms.org/chocwalk/2008/sponsor.cfm?DA=sponsorForm&ID=54762

Thanks for your support!

Today’s New Etsy Post – Burpees! July 26, 2008

Ok, I can’t help myself. Once it occured to me that the things I make by hand just for gifts and for myself, are the same things other people are selling for money on Etsy, I went crazy. I am so proud of my photography skills, I think I made something an mundane as towels and flannel burp cloths look intersting! Here is my latest addition – a set of 3 adorable flannel burp cloths. These aren’t skimpy little just-for-looks type things either, these are 17″x13″ triple thick mid panel, super absorbent, USEFUL flannel burpees. I make the same ones for my kids, and they WORK! They are very similar in size, design, and material to the nice big Gerber ones sold at BRU (which I also use and love, almost as much as my handmade ones!) My kids love these so much and they are so soft, that that use them as lovies at naptime and in the car, they really soft. I was making these for a friend who is expecting anyways, so I bought a little extra fabric, took some glamour shots, and here they are…

I think they are cute anyways. There is a monkey print, a little car print, and a puppy dog words print. And super easy to make, I whipped these out in about 30 minutes with a baby on my lap/shoulder/nearby bouncy chair.

Fakey Cakies Anyone? July 23, 2008

Okay, shameless plug. In the midst of baby shower madness yesterday, while frantically finishing off the beautiful diaper cake centerpieces I had made and admiring my handi work, I had a light bulb moment. Why don’t I make these for money instead of simply for family and friends (though I love making things for family and friends, don’t get me wrong). So I took the leap and listed samples of my work on Etsy. My fingers are crossed, this is something I really enjoy doing, and isn’t that what everyone wants – to get paid to do something they really enjoy?

Stop by and take a look when you have a chance…   The Best Diaper Cake I Have Ever Made  Next Stop, a Towel Cake for my counsin’s wedding… stay tuned!

Neat-o Personalized Baby Stuff July 22, 2008

I was sent this link today and had to share. This company makes custom embroidered baby bibs, burps and blankets at a totally reasonable price and super cute, too. They also make t’s and other stuff. I might just have to order a burpee for my little bean so I can let you know how it comes out!

Check out the site, Threadsmith

Diapers Drive Me Centsless! June 25, 2008

I know I am not the only mom who compares the price of diapers by the per-diaper cost, but how many of you carry a calculator around just for that? Seriously, figuring out which size pack of diapers at the store is the best value drives me INSANE! Why on earth is is necessary for Pampers to have 4 different size boxes for each diaper size? Is it because they know we will get so confused by the whole mess we will just give up and buy one? And that doesn’t even include the soft side plastic wrapped packs! Today, I found a 124 pack box at BRU for $37.99, an 88 pack box at Target for $27.99 and a sixty something pack box at Target for $19.99. And my local supermarket has a completely different size box! What gives? I broke out the calculator today and did a little mommy math, they are all within a half cent per diaper. So why have so many different freakin’ boxes? It drives me crazy! Today, I went with BRU, they had a $5 off coupon which made theirs a better deal. Target was giving a $5 gift card if you bought TWO boxes, not as great. At the supermarket, when I have a coupon which they double, and if they are on sale, it ends up cheaper to buy them there believe it or not. I think I am going to write a letter…

Dear Crazy Diaper Marketing Exec, Why are you trying to make an already unstable mom lose her mind on the diaper aisle?…

Major Crib Recall! June 24, 2008

This is a scary recall, something as moms we all use every day and can’t live without! I take for granted that my baby’s crib is safe, this makes me wonder…

From the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s site…

Jardine Cribs Sold by Babies”R”Us Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Jardine Cribs

Units: About 320,000

Manufacturer: Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan

Hazard: The wooden crib slats and spindles can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been 42 incidents of crib slats and spindles breaking. Four children became entrapped in the space created by a broken slat or spindle. Two of the children had abrasions and bruising.

Description: Jardine wooden cribs in various styles and finishes, are included in this recall.

For the complete list of recalled cribs and more information, visit the recall site at http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08312.html
crib recall babies+r+us jardine baby

MommyMixer’s Fall Schedule is Out! June 22, 2008

Don’t miss out on the hottest new way to snag the babysitter of your dreams in Orange County! MommyMixer has released it’s Fall line up and spots are sure to go fast, their Spring event SOLD OUT!

Sunday September 7th 1pm

Sunday October 5th, 1pm

Sunday November 9th, 1pm

All events will be hosted at No Rest For Bridget in Costa Mesa and the store is offering an awesome 15% shopping discount for all attendees! For more info, or to register, visit them ONLINE

We are always on the look out for awesome sitters, too, if you are a college student in Orange County looking for some great families to babysit for, submit your resume online HERE

Baby Loves Disco June 11, 2008

All across the country, Baby Loves Disco is slowly but surely transforming the hippest night clubs into child proof discos as toddlers, pre-schoolers and parents looking for a break from the routine playground circuit let loose for some post naptime, pre-dinner fun. Make no mistake, this is NOT the Mickey Mouse club, and Barney is Banned. Baby loves disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real djs blending classic disco tunes From the 70s, & 80s guaranteed to get those little booties moving and grooving.

Baby Loves Disco – June Event

Saturday June 14th, 2008

For tickets, visit Baby Loves Disco online at http://babylovesdisco.com/locations/orangecounty/