Category Archives: Mom Stuff

Donkeys, Dinosaurs & Dragons (and discounts)! Oh My!

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I would never call myself crafty or creative and honestly, I have little  knowledge about was go into the craft of crochet, but I can tell you that my friend Ace, from Life in Dutch, makes the cutest stuff! And what’s even better? She lives in the Netherlands so for all of us expats overseas, that means easier shipping and shipping costs (hopefully). I asked her to write up a little post so that I could share her new Etsy store with all of you because (1) I am super excited for her, (2) Expats should support other expats, and (3) She makes THE CUTEST stuff! For those of you that follow Sarah over at Chasing the Donkey, you may remember this cute little guy, Donkimir:

Ace made him for her and that is when I knew I had to have her make something for me, however, at the time, she didn’t have a store. Now she does and I have already placed my custom order for a Henry Hugglemonster for my son!

Here’s a little information about Ace and how her love of crochet began. She has also included a special discount for C2C customers for the month of March!

Enjoy and if you buy something, share photos with us and support your fellow expat. 

xx Deanna

♥

My relationship with crochet started over 20 years ago. My grandmother always produced gorgeous knit and crocheted hats, mittens, and blankets; and she decided to teach me her tricks. My first few attempts at knitting were so abysmal that Ma soon decided to scrap the knitting lessons altogether and just stick to crochet. I liked the feel of the crochet hook in my hand and took pride in the few lumpy rows that managed to make – to me it was something special that Ma had always done for others, and now I was learning to do it too. But I would stop crocheting for a while and forget everything. Ma would teach me again, I’d keep up for a little while, then stop, and forget again. This cycle continued for a while, but eventually I would abandon any of my own efforts and continue to admire everything Ma would make.

 A few years ago, I found Ma’s crochet hook case. She had passed away a few years before, but as I looked at all 16 hooks still sitting in their places, the memories of Ma teaching me to crochet came back. Hooks in hand, I decided it was time to take up crochet for real and got to work. I retaught myself everything Ma had showed me and started learning new techniques as I found new projects and brought new ideas to life. Every time I pick up those old hooks, or even the newer hooks I’ve bought for myself, I think of Ma and keep her close while I make something new.

That’s what has brought me to where I am today. I recently opened up my Etsy store, arcBcrafts, so that I can share my love of crochet with others. Each item that I make is made with love, just as Ma showed me, to bring a little smile to every customer. I make a range of items for babies, kids, adults, and the home, and the options are growing every week. Please pop over and take a look!

**And just for From Casinos to Castles readers I’m running a special offer! Until 31 March 2014, receive 15% off your order of 15 euros or more when you use the FC2CPROMO discount code at checkout, just for being a loyal reader! Please note that the 15% cannot be applied to shipping costs. 

A few pictures of the items in the store:

Ace is an American expat living in the Netherlands with her husband, son, and two cats. Her new Etsy store, arcBcrafts is up and running to share her love of crochet and handmade items with others. She also blogs at Life in Dutch to share her experiences as an expat, traveler, and parent, and whatever else comes to mind. When she isn’t blogging, crocheting, or planning planning the next adventure, she’s learning the Dutch language or making a mess of the kitchen. You can follow her exploits on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’.

A Boy Mom’s Guide To Survival

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“Boys are easier”, they said.

“Boys are so fun”, they said.

Yes, they are fun, but easier? Maybe in an alternate universe where there they are not constantly a danger to themselves. From one mom on the verge of having a heart attack to another, here are some tips for survival safety:

  1.  If he can stand on it or sit on it, he will jump off of it. (anything, usually the couch)

     

  2. If he can stand on it or sit on it, he will try to skateboard with it. (think laundry basket lid, cushions)
  3. If he can stand on it or sit on it, he will try to surf on it. (think gliding ottoman)
  4. If he can sit on it, he will try to ride it. (his toy wheel-barrow - he turns it over and makes it into a car)
  5. If he can’t reach it, he will find a way. (see next)
  6. If it’s at all climbable, he will climb it. (chairs, tables, tv stands, toys, beds, nightstands…you get the idea.)
  7. If the ottoman and the living room table are close to each other, he will do his best planking move. (don’t bother moving them, see next)

  8. If they aren’t close to each other, he will move them. (can you cement furniture to the floor?)
  9. Anything in his hand is a potential weapon, to you or himself.
  10. The more dangerous something is, the more he likes it.

So what if all your preparations fail? What next??

Make sure you are well-versed in head injuries, concussions and broken bones. Keep ice packs readily available as well as coffee for your sleepless nights.

Most importantly, be friends with your family doctor. Have ALL of the numbers to reach said doctor at any time day or night on speed dial. Keep them hanging on the refrigerator, in your cell phone, at the school, with friends, frankly, anyone your son is with.

When all else fails and hopefully the boy is safe and sound (which only happens when he sleeps), have your alcohol of choice on hand.

Pour, drink and repeat.

Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor….

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Good Tidings Today

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So many things to share, so I will admit that this post is a bit of a ramble, but here goes.

1. Christmas Spirit

a merry little christmasBack in November, La Maman Heureuse wrote about the spirit of giving and offered her readers a gift to thank them for following along. She asked that you leave a comment with a sweet Christmas memory and a winner would be chosen based on the comments received.  Well, I for one, first had to tell her how sweet it was that she was doing something so generous. No giveaway entries, no follow requests, just simple giving. I thought it was the prime example of Christmas Spirit. I left a comment saying something like that and also sharing how special is to me because it is both the time I met my husband AND when he proposed. I recently wrote a guest post for Polly about when we met and now I have written one for La Maman Heurese about my husband’s marriage proposal. Christmas is such a special time for me so if you aren’t sick of all the love and mush, definitely go check them out!

And look at this adorable Christmas package she sent me from Belgium! Isn’t she sweet? Make sure you stop by and spread some Christmas cheer her way!

Wrapped so cute and festive!

SO many cute presents inside!

She even included these cute cookie cutters in “boy style” for my little guy.

And these ornaments are so sweet!

2. Book Release Day!

Yep, if you haven’t heard, I recently became a contributing author to a book about motherhood. (I wrote a more detailed post about it here.) I am so excited that I was chosen and today is the official book release day! I have included the book on my sidebar that links it to Amazon should you be so inclined to purchase it. But shameless plug aside, I just really wanted to share this exciting news! They are promoting the book release in a radio interview in the states today to help spread the word about this amazing cause. Thanks again to all of you for your support!

Front Cover

Back Cover

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A Hopeful Beginning

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Wow, two posts in one day? I think that’s a bit unheard of for me and usually I would wait for another day; however, due to the sensitive time frame of this announcement, I thought I should share now. 

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Have you ever heard of CausePub? Their site states:

Use our crowd-publishing platform to create an instant best-seller and support your favorite cause!

Well, to be honest, I hadn’t either until another fellow blogger posted a request to vote for her and help her story be chosen for publication in a compilation book that would support the given cause of providing clean water to those in need. I voted for her and later heard that she was published! (Her story is touching and beautiful!) In the process of doing so, I “liked” the CausePub Facebook page and thought little of it since then….that is until I saw the latest call for story submissions!

The project manager was in search of stories about motherhood with the hopes of publishing a compilation book of true stories from real moms. This project will provide funds/donations to The Gabriel Network, which is an organization that helps support and encourage women who are experiencing a crisis pregnancy due to homelessness, poverty or other personal reasons. You can read more about that here.

So, I submitted a story. 

Now, I am not a political person, or an overly religious person. I believe that everyone should have the freedom to make their own choices without being pressured or forced to believe in someone else’s beliefs and opinions. In my social work career, I have had the pleasure of working with organizations similar to that of The Gabriel Network and they have done wonders for so many women who are struggling during what should be a wonderful time. There is no pressure, but simply support during desperate times and I am all about supporting others.

I was chosen and will be published!

I’m so very excited! Unfortunately, I can no longer share it with you from the site, as they have closed submissions since it is now in the publication process. It is a very personal story; here is a brief excerpt:

I made mistakes in my life because I didn’t know myself. I suffered through abuse and violence. I turned to drugs and alcohol. For a long time, I was still that rebellious teenager wanting to punish the world for what I felt I had lost. I also wanted to punish myself for who I was becoming. Somehow, though, I made it through. With the help of good friends and guardian angels I’m sure were meant to cross my path, I chose a different road than the one I was so clearly headed down. I chose to rise above and become a survivor. Sadly, my first marriage was one of the casualties of me finally accepting the past, letting it go and becoming the woman I deserved to be.

I wanted to share this with all of you because you helped give me the courage to write this story. Your support, comments and encouragement throughout these past months of blogging gave me the push I needed to at least try. This blogging community has opened me up to a whole world of new people and new possibilities. I have always dreamt of becoming a writer and I’m hoping this is a small piece of the puzzle pointing me in the right direction to accomplishing this dream.

Thank you.

Furthermore, the project could still use some help to reach its goal. If you are at all interested in supporting the cause, reading more stories, know someone who would love to/or needs to read these stories, or you just want to have it because I’m in it (hehe), then please make a pledge to buy the book. There is no money needed now, they will send an email when it is ready to be ordered. It will be available on Amazon, but I am not aware of the cost. If you’d like to submit a pledge, you can do so here.

Again, thank you….for reading, for supporting, for voting, for introducing and for possibly pledging. It means the world to this dreamer. 

Dear Doc McStuffins

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Image Courtesy of thedisneystore.com

Dear Doc McStuffins,

I am writing this letter to you today to say, from the bottom of my exhausted heart, THANK YOU. I am not one who supports the idea of my child watching endless hours of television, but there is no denying the happiness he feels when watching your show. While there are a couple of others my son likes, no one compares to you. To him, you are the icing on the cake, the cherry and sprinkles on top, the chocolate chip in his cookie.

Image courtesy of wikipedia.com

Image courtesy of wikipedia.com

Thank you for your theme song which when played is like the magic flute of the pied piper (without the tragic ending of course). The instant my son hears it, he smiles, even if in the middle of a complete and total meltdown. He runs to the television, dances and sings as if in a trance by your magical powers. He could listen to your song on repeat all day long if I let him(I’ve thought about it). And to be honest, it is kind of catchy and the least annoying cartoon song I’ve heard to date.

Thank you to all of your stuffed animal friends. My son thinks they are funny and giggles when they come to life and do silly things. He especially loves when Lamby sings; it’s like a lullaby to him.

Thank you for your cute “morals of the story” and the every day instructions you make fun. He doesn’t understand about washing his hands, checkups, or allergies yet, but someday he will.

But most of all, thank you for being the toddler whisperer for my child. Some days there is just no pleasing him! He’s cranky and fussy and I’m at my whit’s end.  And then….the magic happens, the sun shines and the stars align as it is Doc McStuffins time! He can run to the TV, sing and dance and although this mom thinks she needs a break, the overwhelming adorable quality of seeing him be so happy in such a pure, childish moment, will make this mom smile, laugh and sing along. Whatever was frustrating or exhausting will be washed away in an instant, for both of us.

Nothing in the world compares to the smile on a child’s face, especially when it’s your own child. Thank you for giving us extra smiles today and every day.

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