They were smart...

We went to a children's museum while in London, and they had an exhibit all about chairs.  It was interesting how the chair has evolved with time, and how many different types of chairs there are.  I particularly found this one awesome...

It is a potty on wheels! Do you see the belt!? hahaha...Maybe that is why they got trained so fast in the old days.  They were forced to stay put!

I laughed out loud when I saw this picture...poor kid...but yet another ingenious idea!

Instead we have the plastic potties that kids can get up and down with ease.

It probably is better that way, but sometimes I wish I had a belt. :o)

Wish me luck!

Anticipation

For a while, I have wanted to get some type of buffet/dresser to put by this wall in my family room.

It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I really had that itch to find something...NOW!!  I didn't want it to look totally like a dresser, but didn't just want a plain table either.  I started my addiction with Craigslist, and each day would search the ads looking for the perfect piece.  There were a few that I came across, but they were more than I was willing to spend or not something I was totally in love with.  So each day I would check religiously throughout the day hoping I would find something. 

Last night I was looking again, and I came across exactly what I wanted...and for an awesome price!  They would be selling it at a garage sale the next morning all the way across town.  I decided that it was worth the drive, and texted Anna to see if she would want to go on the adventure with me.

I took a risk.  The ad had the crossroads, but no actual address.  There were two different ads...one said it started at 6 am and the other at 7 am.  I didn't want to drive all that way and not be able to get it so I rolled out of bed at 4:45am and went and got Anna at 5am!  We were off!!!

We arrived in the 'area' around 5:45am and there was only one sign near the road so we headed in that direction.  When we got to the house...not much was going on.  Anna and I were a little confused because we thought they would atleast be getting things set up.  I started getting anxious as a few other cars started showing up, and waited....but nothing happened!!  We drove around the neighborhood again to make sure there weren't other sales going on, but still couldn't find it. 

We were so confused as to why someone would post something on craigslist the night prior, and then not be there.  It was now 7 am, and we still couldn't find the house.  We figured the one we sat in front of was an old sign from a previous sale that they never took down.  I was bummed.  We drove all the way across town, and then were going to go home empty handed because they failed to put an actual address.  We did one final drive around the area, and were about to drive home when we saw a van drive up to the intersection, stop and put up a new sign!!! 

My heart skipped!  We turned around, and stopped and asked them if they were the ones that had advertised on Craigslist....THEY WERE!!!   We followed the signs and got to their house...luckily my 'find' was still there!  It definitely needs some TLC, but I am so excited for the potential! 

Seriously the best $40 ever spent!

Hopefully it won't take me too long to refinish it!

Tuesday's Travel Log

A friend recommended that we go to Windsor Castle to see the 'Changing of the Guard'...it is less crowded, but they have the same ceremony.  Instead we had to face the mob at Buckingham Palace.  If you ask Sydney about our trip to London...her favorite part was going to the 'Queen's Palace.'  You can see the pure joy on her face here.

I only wish I had a picture of how sad she was when she realized the Queen wasn't home, and she wouldn't get to meet her!  My poor girl has a princess complex...and this was no Disneyland. hahaha  Atleast she was able to enjoy the show.  It was quite the production!

We wormed our way through the crowds trying to get glimpses of things.  I even had Caden on my shoulders at one point just so he could see above everyone...oh man...that didn't last very long.  He is one big kid!

We had a fun time checking it out, but next time I think I will make more of an effort to follow my friends advice!!  Besides I would love to see the Castle!

Although...the palace is a beautiful building!

If Only I Would Actually Win

One item that I would LOVE to add to my kitchen is a Bosch Mixer.  I talk about it with Shawn all the time, but he thinks I am good with the second hand Kitchen Aid that I got off craigslist a few years ago.  I try to explain to him that Kitchen Aid doesn't really hold a candle to Bosch when it comes to making bread (not that I really make bread that often...but if I had a Bosch...I probably would! haha) 

Anyhow, so I was so excited to land upon this blog, and see that they were giving away a Bosch for FREE!  I could not believe it!  I don't think I will win, but I am in dreamland..and it would be so cool if I actually won!  So here is my measly attempt at getting and extra entry.

Deals To Meals is a service that compares the prices of all of the major grocery stores, Costco and Walmart and tell you where the best deals are. With those deals they give you recipes and meal plans to use those foods. They are now in 12 states, including Arizona!  I haven't ever used them personally (because I JUST found their blog/website), but am looking into it!  I love the idea of someone else doing all the busy work to get me a deal! 

So go check them out, and I guess you can enter to win too be sure to let them know that I was the one that sent you their way (I get extra entries for referrals :o)...but if you win I expect you to graciously give it to me instead...hahahaha Just kidding *kinda*  Good luck! Oh BTW the contest is open until June 30th and the winner *hopefully me* will be announced on July 4th!

Tuesday's Travel Log

When traveling with kids, it is a must that somewhere along the way we must 'chill' at a playground.  One that was on my MUST DO list was Princess Diana's Memorial Playground found in Kensington Gardens.  The reason why was because it was built around the theme of Peter Pan.  They had Captain Hooks Pirate Ship, The Lost Boys tree house, Indian Teepee's, and much more. 

We took a stroll through the park, and stopped at the playground.  We ended up staying for hours, and if the kids had their way we would have stayed even longer.  It was a wonderful place to let the imagination run free, and create some wonderful memories.  If we return to London, I will be sure to make a second visit.

I seemed to enjoy any park that we came upon in our travels.  One thing that I have noticed in Europe is that every park had gates to enter and exit in!  Totally ingenious!  I loved it because I never had to worry about my kiddos running off and getting lost or running into the street.  In fact we took a stroll down from our hotel to this great little playground.  It was directly adjacent to a pretty busy road, but because it had a gate around the entire playground, I could let my kids run free.  It was a very liberating feeling.  

It is so fun playing at the parks.  They aren't like our typical ones back home so it keeps the kids entertained with all the new things they come upon.  Now if the parks here in the U.S.  could just get on board with the gated playgrounds...that would be great!  (I guess here in the U.S.  there are parents that would actually leave their children there unattended...so sad that we miss out on such a great thing!)

BTW.... If you live here in my neck of the woods, I have a Crafty Goodness Craft Night coming up on Thursday, June 10!  Go to Crafty Goodness to see all the projects we are doing, and order yours today!  I will be taking orders until Thursday, June 3rd, so there isn't much time left!  Hope to see you there!