Baby Hats

My sister-in-law knitted my husband and baby the coolest matching strawberry hats. They wore them in our first photos as a family.

Now that baby #2 is coming, I've been thinking about another knitted or crocheted hat, maybe a hat for the whole family. I like silly ones, pretty ones, oversized ones, etc. The only problem is that my knitting skills are still of the pot holder caliber!

The strawberry hat! So cute!

A Bone to Pick: Children's Toy Packaging

The holiday hangover is long gone but my aggravation with children's toy packaging won't budge. Why on Earth do these toy manufacturers feel the need to reinforce a cheap toy with Fort Knox-like securities? Why does a gadget need a cardboard box twice its size, 4 impossible-to-cut zip ties, twist ties, a plastic screen, and cellophane wrapping?!? I mean, seriously!!! Its like, here you go kid, here's a really cool toy, but you can't play with it until Daddy gets the chainsaw, vice grips, and industrial strength wire cutters out.

Since becoming a parent, I've been paying attention to toy packaging. We recycle everything that can be recycled so if I have a choice between two toys, one with recyclable packing and one without, guess which one I'm buying? This is yet another reason why I love getting hand-me-down toys - they come with no packaging! One of my favorite line of toys has eco-friendly packaging, unusual colors, and a sense of humor. There are plenty of companies out there making an effort to be mindful of the Earth and I like that. Check out The Earth Friends, Etsy, and Green Toys. I also find local consignment shops and Craigslist good sources for kid's toys. Your kid doesn't care about the packaging so save some cash and the environment by buying eco-friendly or used.

New Year's Resolution

Last year, my New Year's Resolution was to find balance. For me, that meant balancing my responsibilities as a mommy with the responsibilities as an employee. I never wanted to put myself in the position of deciding whether in any certain moment, I had to choose between being an all-star mommy or an all-star employee. This is easier said than done because sometimes, your kid gets sick on a day when you really can't afford to be away from work. All in all, I did a good job finding balance. I starting saying no to some "extras" and started saying yes to simplifying my life. None of this would have happened without the support of my husband. He can tell when I'm overwhelmed and swoops in to give me a break. I hope to keep up this balance heading into 2012, with a few added goals.

This year, I want to:

1) remove clutter - if I haven't used in the the past two years, its gotta go

2) run a half marathon - I almost made it this year until I found out I was preggers

3) be more selfless, especially when it comes to my kids - really, updating my Facebook status is NOT more important than the kid wrapped around my ankles begging for my attention

4) continue to live with intention - this might mean a career change, or moving somewhere, or something BIG...we are due for a meaningful change in my house

Do you have a New Year's Resolution?

Why I Love Sesame Street

I freaking LOVE Sesame Street. I loved it when I was a kid and now I DVR it for my own kid. We watch it together and while she’s learning to count with me and Elmo, my feminist heart is doing fist bumps with my feminist brain. And even when her attention span only gets her through the first five minutes, I can’t stop watching it. In the most recent episode I saw, actor Paul Rudd was playing a “storybook prince” who appeared every time Rosita, Abby and a penguin were confronted with a challenge during their game of Princess. In a last ditch effort to prove himself useful, he pulls out his trump card and, when that fails, a pity party ensues. If you have a few minutes, watch this clip.

Awesome, right? As a feminist, I love it when something on TV actually aligns with my value system and supports my parenting efforts. I also love when Sesame Street takes a dig at Disney. I don’t have to write about why feminists don’t enjoy Disney – the blogosphere has already taken care of that for me. I just can’t support its woman’s-worth-based-on-that-of-the-male-character stories. This isn't to say that kids who worship Disney princesses turn out to be rotten eggs or spoiled brats - just ask one my dear friends who's daughter has a trunk-full of princess costumes. Its all in the parenting. I like that Sesame Street has female characters who use logic, creativity and teamwork to get the job done, just as the male characters do. The messages of independence and girl-power are ones I can support and reinforce with real-life lessons at home. I love when Rosita asks, “How is kissing her feet going to get her out of the mailbox?” Duh Prince, your silly little kisses don’t save lives or get people out of sticky situations. Even puppets know that.

As an educator and a parent, I have a deep respect and appreciation for Sesame Street. I love that Sesame Street isn’t afraid to create episodes that incorporate ethics, emotions, respect, problem-solving, diversity, character, relationships, and tough social issues. Their crafty team of researchers, writers and puppeteers knock it out of the park every episode. Sesame Street has been on the air for over 40 years and has won more than 100 Emmy Awards.

Things That Make Me Laugh

My husband just introduced me to The Oatmeal. There's so much funny (but often crude) stuff on this website that I had to share. I especially like the one about ginger ale on airplanes. A - I think you would really like the greeting cards.

Twinkle Lights

When it comes to the holiday season, there's one thing that my husband and I can't agree on...white or colored twinkle lights on the Christmas tree. For the last 5 years we have been alternating the lights on the tree, but this year, we both win. We have two Christmas trees now so I can decorate mine with white lights and he can put those silly multi-colored lights on the other tree. I think white lights are classy, beautiful, and simple. I don't even like colored lights in the front yard, let alone on my tree. I think that colored lights are fun, silly, and remind me of the circus - and that's not Christmas for me.

Help us settle the debate, which lights are better?

Mystery Bottle Auction

Every year, at my friend's Grinchmas party, she figures out a creative way to raise money for those in need. This time, we are raising money for children aging out of foster care. To do this, we are doing a mystery bottle auction. If you've never heard of this, it is when you disguise a bottle of wine or liquor (cheap or not) in a creative costume. Last year, I decked out a bottle of booze in a grass skirt, coconut bra, long blonde hair, and a flowery barrette. I can't remember what it went for, but the fun thing about these auctions is the bidding war. The bottles with the best costumes always bring in the most ca$h. So, I am working on my bottle and I'll post a picture of it next week. Any suggestions?

A Bone to Pick: Household Cleaning Supplies

I've got a bone to pick with the people who market household cleaning supplies. I am really tired of watching well-dressed women dance around their vacuum cleaners and mops with huge smiles on their faces like all they ever wanted to do when they grew up was to have shiny floors. These are NOT real women. Real women sweep and mop their floors with bird's nest hair in their ratty slippers and faded pj's.

These commercials also piss me off because they rarely show men cleaning. My husband cleans, my father cleaned (and cooked), and I want my daughter to expect her future partner to pitch in with the cleaning. I don't think there should be any "his and her chores." I think a home can be happier when it is more egalitarian. And if you both know how to do everything, things can get done when you want them done. Ok, rant done.

It's Evolution, Baby!

One of the reasons why I like the tagline to this blog (evolve with us) is because it captures the notion that we are changing and getting better every day. All of the Darwin girls, even the ones who don't write for the blog, have followed unique paths to self-discovery, and I'm in awe of the women we've become. Each one of us has done something unexpected, suffered pain, encountered deep happiness, and grown intellectually and morally, all while remembering to bring each other along for the ride. What's so beautiful about our evolution is that we are all evolving in different directions, while still deeply respecting and caring for one another. And it is effortless. We know each other's secrets, insecurities, and regrets and know when to let a hug linger just a little bit longer. (Unless it's a hug from A, hers are always uncomfortably long.) So before I drown my keyboard in happy tears, I just want to say that I am thankful for each one of them. I am thankful for their support, kindness, and willingness to evolve with me.

$245,000,000

The odds of winning the $245 million Powerball Lotto tonight is 1 in 195 million. So you're still saying I have a chance? Both my husband and I played numbers. Mine were based on the numbers in my most recent fortune cookie. He probably picked numbers that mean something to him. I'm willing to take all of our readers out for gelato right after I pick up the giant check in Tallahassee.

Couponing Queen

About a year ago I went to a couponing seminar. Dorky, right? If going to CVS and having them pay you $7 to shop there is dorky, then I'm queen of the dorks. There's a learning curve to couponing so you have to dedicate some time to it in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, it is addicting. I am now consistently saving about 25%-50% on my grocery bill. I'm not one of those crazy hoarders who takes everything off the shelf. Normal couponers hate it when people do that. I mean, who needs 43 toothbrushes?

So here are a few tips to get you started. I'm only sharing a few things because it can get overwhelming.

1) If you live in the Tampa Bay area, go to www.truecouponing.com. Find a class near you.

2) Buy your Sunday newspaper in multiples of two. This is because when things are BOGO, you can apply a coupon to each item - the one you pay for and the one that's free.

3) Plan ahead. Just about every item will go on sale on a 12 week cycle. If you LOVE ketchup (like A does), you'll want to wait until it is on sale, then buy enough to last you about 12 weeks.

4) See if your grocery store makes their own coupons. You can "stack" coupons, which means that if spaghetti sauce is BOGO, you can use 2 manufacturers coupons and 2 store coupons. In this case, you'll get two jars of spaghetti sauce for about 50 cents, depending on the coupon amounts.

I now use coupons for everything! I save on tire alignments, Dunkin Donuts, online clothes purchases, groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries, facials, etc.

T's Favorite Places in St. Petersburg

I have lived in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida since 1997. So much has changed since then, mostly for the better. St. Petersburg is in one of the most densely populated counties in the United States. Our downtown has seen a facelift that has increased tourism, fed the arts, and drawn the locals out to play. If you are ever in St. Petersburg, here are a few places to visit. By the way, these are in no particular order.

1. Skyway Jack's - St. Pete's greasy spoon (and cheap too)

2. Saturday Morning Market - organic fruits and veggies, hand made goods, live music

3. Red Mesa - don't miss the Sunday brunch

4. Sunken Gardens - I love this place so much that I got married there

5. St. Pete Shuffle - the largest collection of shuffleboard courts in the world; a scene from Cocoon was filmed there; live music, great company, and free on Friday nights

6. Schakolad Chocolate Factory - I love the turtles and hot chocolate

7. Hooker Tea Company - I learned how to knit here over a steamy cup of chai

8. The waterfront from Downtown to Coffee Pot Park - hang out long enough along the sea wall and you'll see dolphins and manatees; also a great place for a jog

9. Hook's - the best sushi in town

10. Weedon Island Preserve - a great place for kayaking

Tribute to Bacon

Oh bacon, how I love thee,

I just can’t stop at three.

Your fatty glory makes my mouth sing,

when you wrap my shrimp, I say “cha-ching!”

The perfect balance of salty and sweet,

bacon and chocolate is a tasty treat.

Atop my salad you give my lettuce flair,

I’ll keep eating you without worry of my derrière.

You make good company to any food,

you have the power to lift my mood.

Fried slices of pig belly fat,

hell yeah I’ll take more of that.

I might love you more than cheese,

no wait, that’s ridiculous, more of both please.

Welcome!

We, The Darwin Girls, would like to welcome you our blog - our blog about everything under the sun. The four of us met in sunny Florida at Eckerd College, and have been a family ever since. Darwin was actually a dorm that housed most of our family at one time or another. Although we are now living in four different states, we are still in touch. Throughout the year we meet as often as possible for graduations, weddings, showers, and girls only reunions. Our blog content will span everything - and we mean everything - religion, family, relationships, school, parenting, travel, art, cooking, sewing, photography, and perhaps even politics!

Thank you for stopping by, and we hope to hear from you soon.