When I was originally toying with the idea of becoming a SAHM, I constructed a list of pros/cons. The list of pros was miles long, the list of cons were few, but had enough weight behind them to cause many a sleepless night. When it came to breaking the news, it wasn’t even the bosslady that I was the most nervous about. It was our childcare provider Mary.

Mary has a certain patience, caring, and passion for her job that enables the kids in her care to really flourish. She was Gavin’s sole childcare provider, but Quentin had 3 before her (that’s a whole other story). Quentin has definitely learned more under her care than with anyone else. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to match her enthusiasm, nor provide the same level of stimulus (I still worry about this!). I also loved how organized & super creative she is (she doesn’t think so, but dagnabbit she totally is!). Plus she’s cute and fun to be around (how can a person be so chipper sans alcohol!?). Often she’ll call me so unbelievably excited/happy about something that I’m secretly thinking to myself, “dang, this chick either just slammed down some serious vodka or like FIVE Red Bulls!”. But anyway, I digress…

We were both a little heartbroken when I told her that I’d be quitting my job to stay at home. However, we recently agreed (and I swear no alcohol was involved) that we may have lost the childcare relationship, but we’ve “gained a friendship”! Awww, how sweet is that? (Ok, no gagging). It’s true though, our kids still love playing together and we’ve become friends not just acquaintances. To show you how truly awesome she is, I want to share with you this UNIQUE gift she put together for me when she knew I was having a rough week with the SAHM thing (which is like every week of my life right?)…

Stay at Home Mom's Survival Kit

Not only is everything in this bucket USEFUL (and much of it is already gone), it totally lifted my spirits because each item had a label or cute tag on it with a witty description!

Here’s what was included in the bucket:

• Mr. Clean Magic Erasers – “This gets crayon off almost anything”
• DUM-DUMS (lollipops) – “A Mom’s secret weapon”
• Pink polka-dot magnetic list pad – “Lists, lists everywhere”
• Travel-sized Advil – “For all that banging, clanking, loud noise…”
• Travel-sized Tylenol PM – “For the nights you can’t sleep…”
• Pink polka-dot Pocket tissues – “Sometimes you need a good cry”
• 8-pack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – (I forgot what this one said and we already snarfed them up, so package is gone.)
• Snacks! (Microwave popcorn, crackers, fruit bar, crystal light mix-ins) – “For when you need a snack…”
• Top Ramen – “For the days you just don’t want to cook…” (That would be EVERYDAY!)
• Pomegranate scented tea lights – “This is so you can have some Mommy time…”
• Black cherry vanilla bath crystals – (also for Mommy time)
• Two Michelob Ultras – “When all else fails… DRINK!”
• Carton of Merlot – “Sometimes you don’t have time to find a cork screw” (Amen to that sista!)
• Drink coasters (to go with the wine) – that say, “You had me at Merlot”
• Matching wine stopper
• Matching wine journal

It was all so brilliant! But I think the item I got the biggest kick out of was the wee carton of Merlot. I had no idea they made wine like that. I recall the wine in a box of the 1980’s, but a little “juice box” of wine?!? FABULOUS!!

The best part, You had me at Merlot

Thanks again Mary! LOVE IT! And tell them all to “bite it” because having a big heart is a wonderful virtue :)

Juice box for adults

So hubby and I aren’t sure if we should admit to this one or not. We’re sort of stuck between high-fiving each other and a bit of guilt. We made a slightly “extravagant” purchase for our 2-year-old. However, “extravagant” is a relative term in this case. Let’s just say that after we set it up, we both felt the need to exclaim, “I never had anything this cool when I was a kid!”.

Quentin's TV

Is that a 19″ HD LCD TV and DVD player? In a 2-year-old’s room?! (And dammit, it’s nicer than the one in Mommy & Daddy’s room!) Ok, so before you go pullin’ out the “Spoiled” or “Bad Parent” card, I think we need to explain WHY we wanted to get this for the boys…

It was actually more for us than it was for them. The primary reason is to stop the insanity in the living room. Like it or not, our boys are snack chompin’, crumb droppin’, sippy cup lovin’, juice drippin’ television hounds. I try to limit their TV time because I’m fully aware that it’s a big no-no. But we still let them watch Sesame Street, Curious George, and several of the shows on Noggin (Yo Gabba Gabba especially). They also like to watch a lot of the Pixar/Disney movies (lather, rinse, repeat). So when it comes to TV time, I wanted them to camp out in Q’s room, as it’s more like a playroom. Stains and wear & tear on our poor overused living room can hopefully be minimized. Our house is pretty small (1600 sq. ft.), so I also wanted to get them out of my hair a bit so I can perform necessary evils like unloading the dishwasher or transferring laundry to the dryer without tripping over little munchkin feet.

Now there is a caveat with this set up because we did not hook it up to the cable. It’s strictly for watching DVD’s, hence the need for the DVD player. I’m going to limit the cable TV watching even more, and that will be in the living room so they can be supervised. Also, in our defense (dang I see a pattern here with use of that phrase), the total cost we dropped on this set up was around $225 bucks. So definitely not top of the line. We’re talking Visio and Memorex (but it gets the job done). We purchased the TV on sale at Target ($197) and the DVD player was super economical at only $25. That way if they break the player not so much heartache replacing something that inexpensive. And I fully expect they will break it. After all, I have two little button pushers on my hands.

Ok people, no dramatic commentary from me today. Not that there’s a shortage of bitching in these parts, just that I’m about to head out to have lunch with my BFF and ex-work buddy (Wassup Moe-zilla?!). The boys are going to Mary’s so I can do some errands and hubby can immerse himself in touch up paint & wall hangings (as we attempt to spiffy up the house in preparation for the MIL’s visit). So instead, I’m leaving you with some internet awesomeness that I’ve come across in my travels. Too good not to share! In no particular order:

• Sweetheart Moments: A mommy blog and a craft blog rolled into one! I’m so in love with this site! And super jealous of this chick’s creativity and organizational skills! She’s got some fabulous ideas. Sorta makes Martha look like a deadbeat
• IKEA Hacker: I’m so excited that I came across this one because I love IKEA! Check out all the creative and inspiring things folks do with items from IKEA. Some really cool hacks!
• jannypie crafts: Another craft blog, but definitely not ordinary. She’s got some really nice tutorials and some super cute (free) blogger templates (if you’re into that sort of thing). Yeah that’s the Wordpress snob in me.
• behind the seams: A Mom, Etsy-er, and humble craft blogger. Another talented Super Mom! How do you ladies do it? Send some of that energy my way please! I just love seeing how people set up their craft rooms and her room is awesome!
• Perrys’ Plate: This one might just make a foodie out of me! Ok, not really. I like to EAT. Lords knows I don’t like to COOK much. But I’m tryin’!
• Vista Icons: Totally cute icons to personalize your PC. I spent way too much time last night downloading and changing out all my important icons. And yeah, I’m running Windows Vista. Because I’m cool like that.
• Microsoft Office Planner Templates: an anal retentive organization junkie’s DREAM! Download vacation planners, meal planners, Christmas present planners, baby shower planners, camping trip planners, the list goes on! All in Word or Excel format.
• Vertex42: more spreadsheet and template goodness! I’m lovin’ it!
• Feathers, fur and fusing: Last but not least… my talented friend Jan and her blog supporting Blue Cockatoo Glass (her Etsy shop). She loves to tinker with bits of glass and comes up with some really cute stuff. Love the sun/moon magnets!