My favorite child gift idea!

If you asked me what one single gift my children have cherished the most - hands down, it would be a ZOOBIE!

I bought these for the kids 5 yrs ago when they were 3 and 2. Meet Muffin's blanket stuffy...

Hada the Hippo

She's a stuffy by day...

... and a pillow or a blanket by night!

 Meet Mister's stuffy...

Kojo the Croc... who also transforms to pillow and blanket. 

My kids affectionately call them simply "Zoobie". There has not been one road trip or vacation where they have not dragged their Zoobies along. They have been their stand in for a stuffy to sleep with, a soft place to lay their heads on in uncomfortable airport chairs and a blanket to sleep under on the airplane or in the car. We have used them in the rain forest, at hotels, on the beach... just about everywhere! 

The great thing is that their heads are big enough to be cuddled or used as a pillow, while they are using the blanket. The blankets are so soft (as is the Zoobie itself!)... even after a zillion washes! They are also big enough for me to use. In fact, I've been known to steal a bit of Zoobie love here and there. I keep saying I'm going to get myself one, one of these years.

These Zoobies are so much more than just a blanket, pillow or stuffy though. To my kids, they represent vacation, fun and excitement. You can literally 'feel' this when they pull their Zoobies out of the closet and give them a squeeze. I guarantee that they will continue to haul these Zoobies around for at least 10 more years or until they fall apart. (Which may be 40 years!) I know they will always invoke wonderful feelings and memories and therefor will always be treasured.

This is the one I would like to get Zahra...

Zulu the Zebra. 

I really cannot say enough great things about these! I think every child should have one... Funny thing is, when I bought them, they were around $60 and now they are only $35!

Do you have a favorite child gift idea? Something that your child cherishes or cannot live without? Please share...

Kenya Adoption - Calling all parents adopting from Kenya!

I know many of you lurk around in the shadows... but we need you to come out of hiding! The Kenya program is relatively new, always changing and we need each other's support. Please consider doing at least one of the following:

Join the Adopt Kenya 2011 Yahoo group - A new group started in May this year. Currently only has 18 members. A great place to get information, support, encouragement and resources. This group has a couple members whom are currently living in Nairobi... whom provide invaluable information for those of who are preparing to travel. This group is for all parents (from around the world!) adopting from Kenya. This is a private group, and not open to the public.

Email me - Please - 'Email Me' off to the right >>>>

Or at the very least - 'Join this site' (Follow my blog) on the bottom of the right sidebar.

We (members of the Kenya adoption community) are receiving different information about the match meetings (in addition to other things)... or are unable to get any information. The process in Kenya is the same for all of us not matter what country we are from... Canadian, American, Australian etc... It would be so helpful for us all to connect and compare notes, share information, help each other through this process and possibly connect on the other side (Kenya)!!!

I understand why many people choose not to blog about their adoption journeys, but if you are teetering on the fence... I would like to just give you a little nudge. You are here because you are looking for something. Information, inspiration etc... Please share the wealth and share what you have to offer to others who are also seeking. Your experience is priceless information to the next person down the line! The more people we can get the information to, the more orphans that will find a family. Remember - you can choose to go private at any time. ;)

Ta-da!!

Introducing the new format!

It only took me all day certainly was a time consuming feat!

I was striving for something clean and bright. No clutter, and I was really wanting a white background for the posts.

I'm happy to channel my inner pinkness and was able to incorporate a little bird!

I believe I lost some of the blog addresses that I kept on my sidebar. Some of which I do not officially 'follow' or some that are wordpress blogs. On the other hand, I think I likely gained some that I had not yet gotten around to posting.

Let me know if there was a specific blog that you would like to see back up, or if any of my links etc. are not working. I realize that some of my previous photos and videos that were posted are now too big for the post area... but so be it - I'm not about to go back and edit them! Ha!

Whad'ya think? ( I hope you all like it!! - Hubby just informed me that he preferred the brown, which is fine. I can't expect him to embrace the pink the way I do! Ha!)

Soon to be under construction

Well apparently my blogs over on the right there have gone missing. Which really sucks, as it has taken me years to compile!!

I have been wanting a make-over for a long time, but it is a lot of work. Since I am under the weather today, I make take advantage of my laziness and do something about this. I am not a computer whiz... so I can't guarantee anything! I may end up off line or all messed up for a short while... but I'll figure it out somehow. Hang in there with me...

Halloween in photo's (and a YUMMY recipe!)

Phew... It was a whirlwind Halloween, with Mister's birthday followed by a Halloween on a school day.
Here are some treats we made...

Rice Krispy squares with orange food colouring added to the marshmallow/butter mix.

These were Mister's birthday cupcakes. I didn't want to add a bunch of food colouring to the icing (many kids are sensitive to food colouring nowadays)... so I dipped them in coloured sugar. I first looked everywhere for coloured sugar. Could not find any in orange. Living in a small town requires you to get creative... So I bought professional grade food colouring and dyed the sugar! It surprising worked well! Just add sugar to a ziplock bag and spread some colouring gel on the inside of the bag and then massage it all in. Takes a little while... but so worth it!!

The cupcakes were pumpkin as requested from Mister. And let me tell you, they were most delicious pumpkin cake/cupcake recipe I have ever had!!! Yummo! You must try it! - Recipe is here... So light and fluffy. Since I have all the spices now, I'm going to make a cake this week. Amazingly enough - the kids also loved this recipe!!

This is a brain center piece I carved from a watermelon. Just peel it... and carve it up!

My Autumn Queen

The moth wings, I photo copied out of a magazine and then attached with white eyelash glue. The clear glue does not work - ever. Don't waste your money.

Mr Police Officer

I'm not sure what the hubby is... I saw the mustache and had to buy it. We thought initially a used car salesman, but he also reminded me of Tom Selleck. Ha!

The kids with Grandma and Grandpa.

My baby turns 7!!

He is my scrunchy munchy... my pudding n' pie.

Oh how I love this child and never pass up the chance to just squeeze him. He has never grown out of the edible stage for me ... you know when you just want to bite into your child? Yes... that weird kind of love...

I love to slather him in kisses and tickle him all over. (One reason why he will likely be relieved for me to get a new baby to pester, I'm sure! Lol.)

This morning Mister said to me (as I was waking him up with kisses and tickles)... "Can I just have one minute of peace!?"

He is quiet, reserved and observant. Loving... and very caring. He has got to be the funniest 7 year old I know... so quick and witty!

Happy Birthday Mister Man!!

Benefit #1 of adopting within the Kenya program

Is not having to watch your child age in the arms of an orphanage!

In most programs, you must wait for court (to be given legal custody of your child) and then you have to wait for their visa to be issued before you can bring them home. This typically takes 6 months. However, many programs have an extra step or 2 which can increase the wait. If there are any court closures, political changes etc or other bureaucratic hold up... this can severely increase wait times to up to 10 -12 months or more! This is all precious, extra time that your child has to spend in an orphanage... and really how can you quantify the importance of this missed time with your child?

In the Kenya program, we do all that waiting in country, with our child.

Hugs to all those parents who are experiencing long bureaucratic delays and only have monthly update photos to hang on to! I cannot imagine how difficult that must be for you all... It is unfair for you and your child! My heart truly goes out to all of you.

If you know one of these parents, please try to imagine what it would be like to have your child worlds away... wondering if they went to bed hungry or if they were being loved. Give them a hug today - they deserve your support!